Log in

Prairie Lake

Barron County · warm-water, stained water

1,408Acres
16ftMax depth
9ftAverage depth
5Public launches
Print free sheetPlan my trip

Today on Prairie

· Tomorrow & the week: Lake Report or Premium →

Best fishing times

All fish
GoodFairSlow
Best today…

Times by species available in Premium

Wind & weather

National Weather Service
Loading today's forecast…

What Prairie is best for

DNR data
WalleyeCommon · stocked8.4
BluegillPanfish, common6.8
PerchPanfish, common6.8
CrappiePanfish, common6.8
LargemouthCommon6.8
Northern pikeCommon6.8
SmallmouthPresent4.3
How we rate

Start from how common the DNR says the fish is (abundant 7.5, common 6, present 3.5). Add 1 if the DNR stocked it in the last 5 years, 0.6 for walleye in two-story or complex lakes, and up to 0.9 for lake size. The DNR counts bluegill, perch and crappie together as panfish, so they share a score.

Depth map

Wisconsin DNR
Sheets 3 to 3

The DNR drew Prairie on 3 sheets.

Tap a map to zoom. Pinch or scroll to zoom in, drag to move.

✕ Deepest spot, 16 ftDNR survey map (PDF)

Not for navigation. Old survey; depths and weed lines change.

Rules on this lake

DNR · checked 2026-10-07
Walleye15" min · keep none 20–24" · 1 over 24" · 3 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027Open
Northern pike26" min · 2 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027Open
Bass14" min · 5 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027Open
PanfishNo size limit · 25 a dayOpen All YearOpen
SturgeonNo fishingClosed
LicenseWisconsin fishing license. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here. How to buy one →
Full rules from the DNR

Launches & access

5 public
Bottomsand 75% · muck 20% · gravel 5%
Parks2

Stocking

DNR records
2025
15,328 walleye large fingerling, 6.8"
2023
14,946 walleye large fingerling, 6.6"
2021
16,870 walleye large fingerling, 6.12"
2019
15,332 walleye large fingerling, 6.15"
2017
16,878 walleye large fingerling, 4.62"

The DNR has 26 fish surveys on file for this lake.

Before you go

DNR
How often it's safe to eat

This is health advice about eating fish, from the DNR. It is not how many you can catch or keep. Catch limits are in Rules.

Eat any amount Bluegill and Sunfish, Bullheads, Crappies, Inland Trout, Yellow Perch

Up to 1 meal a week Bass, Catfish, Pike, Walleye, All Other Species and Sizes

Up to 1 meal a month Muskies

Statewide advice; no lake-specific advisory. Stricter for women who may get pregnant and children under 15. DNR details
Invasive species here

Banded Mystery Snail · Chinese Mystery Snail · Curly-Leaf Pondweed · Purple Loosestrife

Drain all water, remove plants and animals, and never move live fish or bait to another lake.

Reviews

No reviews yet

Near Prairie

Local deals

Local bait shops, resorts and supper clubs can put a coupon here and on the printed sheet, free for a year. Add your business

Prairie board

Catches & reports

Lakes near Prairie

Within 25 miles
LakeMilesAcresMax depth
Mud LakeBarron1.557715 ft
Pokegama LakeBarron2.950619 ft
Lake ChetekBarron3.977022 ft
Tenmile LakeBarron5.137612 ft
Cameron FlowageBarron5.4729 ft
Bass LakeBarron5.911814 ft
Moon LakeBarron8845 ft
Lake MontanisBarron8.220014 ft

Prairie questions

How deep is Prairie Lake?

Prairie Lake is 16 feet at its deepest, and 9 feet deep on average. It covers 1,408 acres.

What fish are in Prairie Lake?

The Wisconsin DNR lists panfish (common), largemouth bass (common), northern pike (common), walleye (common) and smallmouth bass (present).

Where is the boat launch on Prairie Lake?

There are 5 public launches: Access at End Of 13 - 12 1/2 Ave, Access - E Side Lake - Off 24 1/2 St, Access, Access at 11 1/2 Ave and Access.

Do I need a trout stamp to fish Prairie Lake?

A Wisconsin fishing license covers this lake. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here.

What is the walleye limit on Prairie Lake?

15" min · keep none 20–24" · 1 over 24" · 3 a day. Season: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027.

Is Prairie Lake stocked?

Yes. In 2025 the DNR and partners stocked 15,328 walleye (large fingerling).

Fish it longer

Today's sheet is always free. Planning ahead takes a report or Premium.

Lake Sheet

Free
  • Today's best fishing times, all fish
  • Wind, weather, sun and moon
  • Depth map with depths labeled
  • Rules, license and species ratings
  • The printable two-page sheet

Lake Report

$19per lake
  • Your trip, up to 14 days
  • Pick your species
  • What to use, where, when and how, every day
  • Times by species on the bite clocks
Full Trip Guide + Report, $29. Adds where to stay, eat and drink, beaches, parks, groceries and local events.
Best for regulars

Premium

$59per season, billed yearly
  • Every lake, every day: times by species
  • Up to 25 full Lake Reports a season; more at $9 each or 25 for $49
  • Tomorrow and the week ahead on any lake
  • Stocking alerts for your lakes

Sources: Wisconsin DNR (lake facts, species, rules, stocking, consumption advice, survey map), National Weather Service (forecast). Sun and moon computed for the lake's location. Best times are a model of light and moon, not a promise. Checked 2026-10-07.