Portage Lake
About Portage Lake
Portage Lake is a 130-acre lake near Deerwood (Crow Wing) in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 57 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.8 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1993.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner. Ice typically goes out around April 14, based on 16 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Portage Lake
- 130 acres, up to 57 feet deep, near Deerwood (Crow Wing)
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 130 acres
- Max depth
- 57 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.8 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 41 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
Facilities
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 13
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 1993
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 14
- Years of record
- 16
- Earliest
- March 13, 2024
- Latest
- May 10, 2013
- Most recent
- April 16, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
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
Hamlet Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Deerwood (Crow Wing)307 acres
1.2 miles away
Lake Reno
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Deerwood (Crow Wing)167 acres
1.3 miles away
Placid Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Bay Lake183 acres
1.5 miles away
Black Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Deerwood (Crow Wing)106 acres
2.9 miles away
Serpent Lake
73 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Crosby1,116 acres
2.9 miles away
Shirt Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Deerwood (Crow Wing)231 acres
3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Portage Lake?
Portage Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Deerwood (Crow Wing). It covers 130 acres and reaches 57 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Portage Lake?
Portage Lake covers 130 acres with about 3.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 57 feet.
What fish can you catch at Portage Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Portage Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on Portage Lake.
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?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Portage Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Portage Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 14, from 16 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 13, 2024 and the latest is May 10, 2013.