Portage Lake
Cass County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be extremely active with peak fishing times around 3-5 PM. SEE MORE
Explore Leech Lake
Leech Lake is known for offering the best Walleye fishing and Muskie fishing in the Midwest. With 195 miles of shoreline and 112,835 acres to explore, both professional fishermen and family fishing trips alike are sure to enjoy a successful day of fishing on Leech Lake.
Share your catch!
We want to see what you've caught on Portage Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions About Portage Lake, MN
- How big is Portage Lake?
- How deep is Portage Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Portage Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Portage Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Portage Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Portage Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Portage Lake?
- What are the fishing regulations for Portage Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Portage Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Portage Lake?
How big is Portage Lake?
How deep is Portage Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Portage Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Blacknose Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Cisco (Tullibee), Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, Tadpole Madtom and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Portage Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Portage Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there topographical lake maps available Portage Lake?
Portage Lake area businesses:
Are there places to eat and drink near Portage Lake?
What are the fishing regulations for Portage Lake?
There are specific fishing regulations Portage Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?
Explore the Portage Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
2025 Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf - Family Friendly & Adventure Ready!
Bemidji, MN
History & Status of the Fishery
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Portage Lake was conducted on July 6, 2021, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample three stations, and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 14 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, and Smallmouth Bass) and none that are tolerant of disturbance.
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2020 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Smallmouth Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Portage Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Leech Lake River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
What is the average air temp for Portage Lake?
Are there any state parks near Portage Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Portage Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Unnamed Lake | 0.5 mi | 326 | |
| Cyphers Lake | 1.3 mi | 12 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 1.8 mi | 10 | |
| Gadbolt Lake | 1.9 mi | 68 | 15 ft |
| Bass Lake | 2.7 mi | 278 | 33 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 2.8 mi | 32 | |
| Ten Mile Lake | 2.9 mi | 5,080 | 208 ft |
| Tanglewood Lake | 3.0 mi | 10 | |
| Wheeler Lake | 3.0 mi | 32 | |
| Tower Lake | 3.3 mi | 17 |
