Portage Lake

How big is Portage Lake?

How deep is Portage Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Portage Lake?

Are there boat launches on Portage Lake?

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Are there places to eat and drink near Portage Lake?

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Portage Lake is a 265-acre lake located in central Otter Tail County. The maximum depth is 49 feet with 56% of the lake 15 feet or less in depth. The shoreline length is 2.6 miles and the secchi disk reading for this survey was 14.2 feet. Secchi disk readings, a measurement of water clarity, have ranged from a low of 8.5 feet to a high of 16.0 feet. A recently renovated DNR public access is located along the east shoreline. Portage Lake is included in class 31 of the MNDNR lake classification scheme. Development on the lake is low to moderate. Year-round homes and cabins compose the existing development. There is an operating farm located on the northeast part of the lake. There are no resorts located on the lake. Lakeshore development has been shown to negatively impact water quality by increasing nutrient levels and shoreline erosion. This can result in increased plankton/algae blooms, aquatic plant growth and suspended sediments, all of which can lead to decreased water clarity. By using best management practices (BMPs) and "lakescaping concepts", impacts of shoreline development and erosion can be minimized. Contact any county extension office for information on BMPs and your local DNR-Fisheries office for information on lakescaping techniques. Shoreline substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail are located in areas throughout the basin. These plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can actually absorb and breakdown polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. A special gill net assessment was conducted in 2001 and 2004 as part of a research project to evaluate walleye stocking. Trap nets were not set during either of these assessments. Walleye is the primary management specie in Portage Lake. The walleye test-net catch rate exceeded the upper limit of the normal range for class 31 lakes. The walleye catch rate has exceeded the upper limit in every survey conducted. Walleye ranged in length from 8.9 to 25.4 inches with a mean length and weight of 12.6 inches and 0.7 pounds. The 2001 and 2003 year classes appear to be strong and should provide consistently good walleye angling for several years. Walleye attain an average length of 13.7 at four years of age. Data from past and recent test-netting assessments indicate that walleye natural reproduction is very limited in Portage Lake and that walleye fingerling stocking and fry stocking are maintaining the population. Catch rate data over the recent series of surveys indicate that the walleye population can be maintained at or above management goals by stocking walleye fry or fingerlings on a biennial basis. The DNR does not stock any fish species other than walleye in Portage Lake. The other species present are able to sustain their levels at or above management goals without stocking. This is an indication of the excellent water quality and fish habitat that is available. To maintain the excellent fishing that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the water quality and fish habitat. Anglers can also maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of the 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 that trophy fish in the future.

What is the average air temp for Portage Lake?