---
type: lake
name: "Big Portage Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Backus"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 902
max_depth_ft: 23
latitude: 46.85495
longitude: -94.41901
lake_score: 56
dnr_lake_id: "11030800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/big-portage-lake
---

# Big Portage Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus

- **Surface Area**: 902 acres
- **Max Depth**: 23 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 56/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Portage Lake is a 902-acre lake near Backus in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 23 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.6 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Crappie**: Daily limit five.
- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Rainy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/rainy-lake) - 1.7 miles, 129 acres
- [Deep Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/deep-portage-lake) - 1.7 miles, 129 acres
- [Sylvan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/sylvan-lake-backus) - 2.2 miles, 113 acres
- [Five Point Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/five-point-lake) - 2.2 miles, 251 acres
- [Sanborn Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/sanborn-lake) - 2.3 miles, 220 acres
- [Ox Yoke Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ox-yoke-lake) - 2.3 miles, 185 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.85495,-94.41901)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11030800)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/big-portage-lake)*