Portage

Itasca County

Near Inger

DOW: 31082400

Rock BassGood · 57BluegillGood · 55WalleyeGood · 50

A 715-acre lake near Inger in Itasca County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 1986.

Fish Species (12)

Rock Bass

Good · 57

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.37 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	0.33	-	0.70 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 17, 1986	0.75	-	0.37 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 7, 1978	0.33	-	1.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 55

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	1.50	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 7, 1978	0.33	-	0.90 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.52 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	1.33	-	1.52 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 17, 1986	0.75	-	1.43 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 7, 1978	0.33	-	7.80 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

4.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1978	0.33	-	4.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 5.7 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	4.75	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 17, 1986	5.67	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 7, 1978	1.00	-	0.05 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 49

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	1.50	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 7, 1978	0.67	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.51 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	5.00	-	1.51 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 17, 1986	0.25	-	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 7, 1978	1.50	-	0.93 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Average · 39

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	0.25	-	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 7, 1978	0.33	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (4)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Brown Bullhead

Good · 54

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	0.50	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 7, 1978	0.33	-	1.70 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.5–11 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	0.33	-	0.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–0.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	0.25	-	2.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 39

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.57 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 1–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1986	0.75	-	0.57 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best rock bass lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Special regulations on this lake

DNR special regulations override the statewide limits.

Walleye
Including connecting Birds Eye Lake, Little Sand Lake, Portage Lake, Rice Lake, and Bowstring River upstream to County Road 35 bridge and downstream to the County Road 145 bridge.
All from 20-24" must be immediately released. Only one over 24" allowed in possession.

Statewide limits

Statewide limits — apply unless a special regulation above overrides them.

Overridden on this lake — see special regulation above.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Rock Bass

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 17, 1986WALLEYE AND YELLOW PERCH ABUNDANCE IS BELOW STATE- WIDE LOCAL MEDIANS. ALL OTHER SPECIES ARE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THIS TYPE OF LAKE. SHORELINE SEI…

WALLEYE AND YELLOW PERCH ABUNDANCE IS BELOW STATE- WIDE LOCAL MEDIANS. ALL OTHER SPECIES ARE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THIS TYPE OF LAKE. SHORELINE SEINING YIELDING A GOOD NUMBER OF YOUNG-0F-YEAR WALLEYE. WALLEYE AND YELLOW PERCH ABUNDANCE IS BELOW STATEWIDE AND LOCAL MEDIANS. ALL OTHER SPECIES ARE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THIS TYPE OF LAKE. SHORELINE SEINING YIELDED A GOOD NUMBER OF YOUNG- OF-YEAR WALLEYE.

August 7, 1978Cisco population is considerably above state and local medians. All other fish populations are within normal limits for this type of lake.

Cisco population is considerably above state and local medians. All other fish populations are within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Portage?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Rock Bass, Bluegill, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch in Portage. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Portage?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Portage. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Portage?

Portage has a maximum depth of 60 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Portage last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Portage is from 1986. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Portage have any invasive species?

Yes — Portage has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Are there special fishing regulations on Portage?

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Portage, covering walleye. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.