Prairie Lake is a 1,016-acre mesotrophic (moderate fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County. The southern shoreline abuts the city of Pelican Rapids, MN. Prairie Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. The Pelican River inlet is located along the northeast shoreline while the outlet is located along the south shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth of Prairie Lake is 22 feet; however, 79% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2009 lake survey was 10.0 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.0 to 11.9 feet. Water clarity in this lake sometimes diminishes during the summer months due to plankton/algae blooms. The north and east shorelines of Prairie Lake have been extensively developed. Homes and cottages compose the majority of the development. A DNR owned public water access is located along the southeast shoreline of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are located along the south, west, and north shorelines. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Prairie Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, and bluegill are the dominant fish species in Prairie Lake. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available and DNR stocking efforts. A high-density northern pike population exists. The northern pike test-net catch rate has exceeded or been equivalent to the expected range for similar lakes in every survey conducted. Age data indicate that northern pike reproduction is consistently good. Northern pike ranged in length from 10.7 to 30.8 inches with an average length and weight of 17.7 inches and 1.3 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 21.5 inches at five years of age. The walleye test-net catch rate exceeded the expected range for similar lakes. Walleyes ranged in length from 9.3 to 29.5 inches with an average length and weight of 16.8 inches and 2.0 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 16.7 inches at four years of age. Prairie Lake is a popular lake for largemouth bass fishing. Data from recent lake surveys and an electrofishing assessment indicate that a balanced largemouth bass population exists. Bass sampled in this assessment ranged in length from 5.2 to 18.7 inches. Age data indicate that largemouth bass reproduction is consistently good. Bass attain an average length of 11.8 inches at four years of age. The bluegill test-net catch rate was within the expected range for similar lakes. Age data indicate that bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Forty-eight percent of the bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.8 inches at seven years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing in Prairie Lake by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.