---
type: lake
name: "Portage Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Bena"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1539
max_depth_ft: 55
latitude: 47.34322
longitude: -94.31183
lake_score: 57
dnr_lake_id: "11020400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/portage-lake
---

# Portage Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Bena

- **Surface Area**: 1,539 acres
- **Max Depth**: 55 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 57/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Portage Lake is a 1,539-acre lake near Bena in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 55 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 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. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Middle Sucker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/middle-sucker-lake) - 5.2 miles, 286 acres
- [Upper Sucker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/upper-sucker-lake) - 5.2 miles, 113 acres
- [Lower Sucker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/lower-sucker-lake) - 5.5 miles, 592 acres
- [Sugar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/sugar-lake) - 7.5 miles, 1,509 acres
- [Six Mile Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/six-mile-lake) - 8.1 miles, 1,323 acres
- [Lake Winnibigoshish](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/lake-winnibigoshish) - 9.4 miles, 56,471 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.34322,-94.31183)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11020400)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

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