Portage Lake
About Portage Lake
Portage Lake is a 128-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 55 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 18 feet, and has roughly 6.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.9 feet. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 3 fish species here, including splake. 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 2022.
Public access is by portage — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Portage Lake
- 128 acres, up to 55 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- Portage access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: splake
- Average water clarity around 8.9 feet
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Portage access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 128 acres
- Max depth
- 55 ft
- Average depth
- 18 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 77 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- 1 portage access
Best For
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 3
- Game fish
- 1
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- No
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Portage Lake
Compare Portage Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Iron Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais122 acres
0.7 miles away
Mayhew Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais221 acres
1.2 miles away
Skipper Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill107 acres
1.3 miles away
Rush Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill261 acres
1.9 miles away
Birch Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais236 acres
2.5 miles away
Little Iron Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais115 acres
2.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Portage Lake?
Portage Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 128 acres and reaches 55 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Portage Lake?
Portage Lake covers 128 acres with about 6.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 55 feet and its average depth is about 18 feet.
What fish can you catch at Portage Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Splake. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Portage Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: portage access only.
Can you swim at Portage Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Portage Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Portage Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Portage Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.