---
type: lake
name: "Portage Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Hackensack"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 277
max_depth_ft: 84
latitude: 47.01008
longitude: -94.55329
lake_score: 66
dnr_lake_id: "11047600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/portage-lake-hackensack
---

# Portage Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Hackensack

- **Surface Area**: 277 acres
- **Max Depth**: 84 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 20 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 66/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Portage Lake is a 277-acre lake near Hackensack in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 84 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 20 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 largemouth and smallmouth bass, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 27, based on 7 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass**: All from 14-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 27
- **Years of record**: 7
- **Earliest**: 2007-04-21
- **Latest**: 2004-05-19

## Nearby Lakes

- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/bass-lake) - 2.7 miles, 278 acres
- [Ten Mile Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ten-mile-lake) - 2.9 miles, 5,080 acres
- [Little Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/little-bass-lake-akeley) - 4.2 miles, 114 acres
- [Stony Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/stony-lake) - 4.2 miles, 563 acres
- [Howard Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/howard-lake) - 4.8 miles, 386 acres
- [Diamond Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/diamond-lake) - 4.8 miles, 77 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.01008,-94.55329)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11047600)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

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