Portage Lake
Crow Wing County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be moderately active with peak fishing times around 8-9 AM and 3-5 PM. SEE MORE
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?
- Are there fishing guides or charters for Portage Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Portage Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Portage Lake area?
- Are there places to eat and drink near 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 Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Cisco (Tullibee), Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Spottail Shiner and White Sucker.
Are there fishing guides or charters for Portage Lake?
What are the closest cities to Portage Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Portage Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there places to eat and drink near Portage Lake?
What aquatic invasive species are found in Portage Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Portage Lake was conducted on July 12, 2023, 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 seine. Nearshore sampling captured twenty-three species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Mimic Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2023 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 Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow). 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 provide evidence 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 are similar to previous survey findings, which indicated that Portage Lake fully supported aquatic life use based on the FIBI. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Brainerd 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?
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
Crow Wing State Forest
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Crow Wing State Park
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Portage Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Hanks Lake | 0.8 mi | 165 | 45 ft |
| Island Lake | 0.9 mi | 875 | |
| Horseshoe Lake | 1.0 mi | 34 | 30 ft |
| Esden Lake | 1.2 mi | 69 | |
| Pine Lake | 1.3 mi | 27 | |
| Crooked Lake | 1.6 mi | 463 | 72 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 2.0 mi | 27 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 2.1 mi | 15 | |
| Butternut Lake | 2.3 mi | 26 | 34 ft |
| Scott Lake | 2.6 mi | 157 | 49 ft |
