Prairie

St. Louis County, Minnesota — DOW #69084800

192 Surveys

794.33

Acres

47 ft

Max Depth

0

14

Fish Species

33

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Prairie. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 0.9	1.02 lb	5
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 0.9	0.99 lb	5
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.34 lb	1
1983-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.9	0.40 lb	1
1983-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.20 lb	1
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.9	1.29 lb	1
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 0.9	0.27 lb	6
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.50 lb	4

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.24 lb	19
1995-09-05	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.20 lb	36
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.12 lb	25
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	12.0 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.11 lb	144
1983-07-22	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.28 lb	4
1983-07-22	Standard gill nets	9.0 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.20 lb	18
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.10 lb	10
2005-08-22	Survey seining	107.7	—	—	323
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	6.0 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.11 lb	72
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.20 lb	14
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	5.4 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.30 lb	49
2010-08-30	50-ft beach seine	25.5	—	—	51
2010-08-30	15-ft beach seine	5.3	—	—	53
2010-08-30	Standard gill nets	6.8 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.10 lb	81
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	11.2	—	—	15
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.15 lb	8
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.07 lb	15
2015-08-31	Standard gill nets	15.4 (above normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.09 lb	185

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard gill nets	1.5 (below normal)	1.8 – 5.5	1.70 lb	18
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	1.04 lb	4
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	1.9 (normal)	1.8 – 5.5	3.48 lb	23
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	2.13 lb	7
1983-07-22	Standard gill nets	1.5 (below normal)	1.8 – 5.5	2.50 lb	3
1983-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	1.10 lb	1
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	1.8 (below normal)	1.8 – 5.5	3.80 lb	21
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	1.65 lb	6
2005-08-22	Survey seining	1.0	—	—	3
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	1.6 (below normal)	1.8 – 5.5	1.71 lb	14
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	0.62 lb	6
2010-08-30	Standard gill nets	2.2 (normal)	1.8 – 5.5	3.39 lb	26
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.5	—	2.89 lb	18
2015-08-31	Standard gill nets	2.9 (normal)	1.8 – 5.5	3.38 lb	35
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	1.1	—	2.14 lb	13

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.80 lb	5
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.44 lb	8
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.44 lb	12
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.25 lb	11
1983-07-22	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.35 lb	2
1983-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.40 lb	2
2005-08-22	Survey seining	16.0	—	—	48
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.64 lb	9
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.48 lb	5
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.80 lb	2
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.28 lb	13
2010-08-30	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	2
2010-08-30	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	2
2010-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.51 lb	9
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	5.2	—	—	7
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.43 lb	5
2015-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.74 lb	2
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.59 lb	10

Shorthead Redhorse

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	1.94 lb	1
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 2.0	0.09 lb	1
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.4	—	1.50 lb	5
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	2.11 lb	3
2010-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	1.78 lb	4
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 2.0	2.00 lb	1
2015-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.6	—	2.32 lb	7
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 2.0	1.43 lb	1

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	2.0 – 9.7	0.78 lb	48
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	0.64 lb	7
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	2.4 (normal)	2.0 – 9.7	1.73 lb	29
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.18 lb	5
1983-07-22	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	2.0 – 9.7	2.07 lb	7
1983-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	0.50 lb	1
2005-08-22	Fall electrofishing	83.8	—	0.94 lb	151
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	1.7 (below normal)	2.0 – 9.7	1.12 lb	20
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.03 lb	3
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	5.3 (normal)	2.0 – 9.7	0.88 lb	48
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	2.53 lb	3
2010-08-30	Standard gill nets	2.6 (normal)	2.0 – 9.7	0.65 lb	31
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.43 lb	4
2015-08-31	Standard gill nets	1.6 (below normal)	2.0 – 9.7	1.49 lb	19
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	0.68 lb	4

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard gill nets	7.4 (normal)	1.4 – 13.1	0.52 lb	89
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	1.4 – 13.1	0.84 lb	21
1983-07-22	Standard gill nets	6.0 (normal)	1.4 – 13.1	0.92 lb	12
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.4 – 13.1	0.78 lb	28
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.4 – 13.1	0.62 lb	27
2010-08-30	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.4 – 13.1	0.86 lb	12
2015-08-31	Standard gill nets	1.1 (below normal)	1.4 – 13.1	0.72 lb	13

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	2.3 – 8.7	3.70 lb	8
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	1.5 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.9	4.27 lb	18
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	2.6 (normal)	2.3 – 8.7	1.34 lb	31
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.9	3.12 lb	1
1983-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	2.3 – 8.7	0.40 lb	1
2005-08-22	Survey seining	4.3	—	—	13
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	2.1 (below normal)	2.3 – 8.7	1.97 lb	25
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	1.1 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.9	2.62 lb	13
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	2.3 – 8.7	1.75 lb	34
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	3.03 lb	3
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	—	2
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.3 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.9	3.37 lb	15
2010-08-30	Standard gill nets	1.6 (below normal)	2.3 – 8.7	1.65 lb	19
2015-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.9 (below normal)	2.3 – 8.7	2.50 lb	11
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	1.2 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.9	3.07 lb	14

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.4 – 3.3	0.14 lb	22
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	2.8 (normal)	0.8 – 4.5	0.34 lb	34
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	8.4 (above normal)	0.4 – 3.3	0.32 lb	101
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.8 – 4.5	0.31 lb	20
1983-07-22	Standard gill nets	8.5 (above normal)	0.4 – 3.3	0.54 lb	17
1983-07-22	Standard trap nets	4.7 (above normal)	0.8 – 4.5	0.41 lb	14
2005-08-22	Survey seining	1.0	—	—	3
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	3.8 (above normal)	0.4 – 3.3	0.34 lb	46
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.8 – 4.5	0.46 lb	16
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	0.4 – 3.3	0.29 lb	14
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	3.6 (normal)	0.8 – 4.5	0.25 lb	32
2010-08-30	Standard gill nets	7.7 (above normal)	0.4 – 3.3	0.27 lb	92
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	0.8	—	—	1
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	3.8 (normal)	0.8 – 4.5	0.38 lb	45
2010-08-30	15-ft beach seine	0.9	—	—	9
2015-08-31	Standard gill nets	10.2 (above normal)	0.4 – 3.3	0.26 lb	122
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	12.2 (above normal)	0.8 – 4.5	0.30 lb	146

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.06 lb	1
2023-08-21	Standard electrofishing	0.8	—	1.91 lb	1
2005-08-22	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	1
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.07 lb	1

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.2	0.07 lb	1
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.2	0.09 lb	11
1983-07-22	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	1.0 – 5.2	0.27 lb	3
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	3.7 (normal)	1.0 – 5.2	0.14 lb	33
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	3.0	—	—	4
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.2	0.16 lb	3
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.2	0.06 lb	2

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	3.2 – 21.2	0.52 lb	6
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.18 lb	2
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	4.8 (normal)	3.2 – 21.2	0.16 lb	57
1983-07-22	Standard trap nets	1.0 (below normal)	3.2 – 21.2	0.47 lb	3
2005-08-22	Survey seining	253.7	—	—	761
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.35 lb	1
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	1.8 (below normal)	3.2 – 21.2	0.30 lb	21
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	1.2 (below normal)	3.2 – 21.2	0.15 lb	11
2010-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.17 lb	2
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	2.2	—	—	3
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	2.9 (below normal)	3.2 – 21.2	0.27 lb	35
2010-08-30	50-ft beach seine	2.5	—	—	5
2010-08-30	15-ft beach seine	3.4	—	—	34
2015-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.22 lb	1
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	3.3 (normal)	3.2 – 21.2	0.24 lb	39

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-09-05	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	5.73 lb	2
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	6.87 lb	1
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.80 lb	4
1983-07-22	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.67 lb	3
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	4.18 lb	2
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	6.92 lb	6
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.80 lb	1
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	3.15 lb	2
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	7.74 lb	6
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	6.63 lb	5

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2023-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.7 – 5.3	0.75 lb	9
2023-08-21	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.2 – 1.8	0.87 lb	12
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 5.3	0.99 lb	3
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.7 – 5.3	0.68 lb	5
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 1.8	0.70 lb	2
2010-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 5.3	0.67 lb	2
2015-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.7 – 5.3	0.53 lb	1
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 1.8	1.15 lb	5

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-07-22	Standard trap nets	5.0 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.2	0.91 lb	15
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.2	0.63 lb	1

Logperch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2005-08-22	Survey seining	4.3	—	13
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	2
2010-08-30	50-ft beach seine	5.0	—	10

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2005-08-22	Survey seining	1.3	—	4
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	2

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2005-08-22	Survey seining	13.3	—	40
2010-08-30	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1

Common Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	0.10 lb	2
2010-08-30	50-ft beach seine	9.5	—	—	19
2010-08-30	15-ft beach seine	13.2	—	—	132

Burbot

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-09-14	Standard gill nets	0.1 (normal)	0.1 – 0.2	2.60 lb	1

BIB

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-09-14	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 2.0	11.25 lb	2
2010-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 2.0	12.13 lb	3
2015-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 2.0	13.56 lb	2

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	1.5	—	2
2010-08-30	50-ft beach seine	7.5	—	15

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-30	50-ft beach seine	10.0	—	20
2010-08-30	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	3
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	9.7	—	13

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-30	15-ft beach seine	0.7	—	7

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-30	15-ft beach seine	1.1	—	11
2010-08-30	50-ft beach seine	9.0	—	18

Mottled Sculpin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	76.2	—	102

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-30	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-30	Backpack electrofishing	0.8	—	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Crane Lake, MN

★ 4.9

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Tower, MN

★ 4.5

Arrowhead Lodge

Kabetogama, MN

★ 4.7

Bill's Boat Storage

Ely, MN

★ 5

Birch Point Marine

Tower, MN

★ 4.5

BP Marine Plus

Two Harbors, MN

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Prairie

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Prairie.

Fishing Resort Hibbing

(952) 356-5234

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-5282

Lake Vermilion Ice Fishing

Fishing Resort Tower

(218) 290-2435

Piney Woods Retreat in Ely, Minnesota - Vacation Cabin Rental

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 235-1212

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Prairie. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Shorthead Redhorse Tullibee (Cisco)Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Prairie

218 Sportfishing

(218) 409-4744

Angler Management Duluth Charters

(218) 390-7933

Basswood Trails Guide Service

(218) 349-5226

Catching Adventures

(651) 270-7155

Chamorrita Charters

(218) 393-7121

Chasin' Tail Charters MN

(320) 980-6667

View all 33 guides →

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Aerie

Agassa

Agnes

Alden

Alruss

Angleworm

Plan Your Trip to Prairie

Weather forecast for Prairie — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.7913°N, 92.9050°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.