Some of the early European Americans to walk the six mile square that would become Prairie Lake were the U.S. government's surveyors.

[5][6] When done, the deputy surveyor filed this general description: This Township the Surface of which is mostly level or slightly rolling contains Several Tamarac Swamps Some of which are of considerable extent and all unfit for cultivation.

The Soil is principally 3rd rate being of a very Sandy barren nature producing but little vegeta?.

The Timber on the North and East Part of the Township consists of Black Yellow and White Pine.

This Lake produces wild Rice very abundantly which is gathered annually by the Indians and by them very highly prized as an article of food.

[7]The town of Prairie Lake is located southeast of the center of Barron County.

Its namesake lake runs from northwest to southeast across the northeast corner of the town and extends north into the town of Stanley and southeast into the city of Chetek, where it becomes Lake Chetek.

U.S. Route 53, a four-lane expressway, crosses the town from northwest to southeast on land that is between the lake and the Red Cedar River.