---
type: lake
name: "Portage Lake"
county: "Crow Wing"
nearest_town: "Garrison"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 287
max_depth_ft: 37
latitude: 46.35187
longitude: -93.91596
lake_score: 60
dnr_lake_id: "18005000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/portage-lake
---

# Portage Lake

Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Garrison

- **Surface Area**: 287 acres
- **Max Depth**: 37 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 13.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 60/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Portage Lake is a 287-acre lake near Garrison in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 37 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.1 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 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. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface). 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 16, based on 27 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Not recorded
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 27
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-24
- **Latest**: 2013-05-10

## Nearby Lakes

- [Hanks Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/hanks-lake) - 0.7 miles, 165 acres
- [Crooked Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/crooked-lake) - 1.6 miles, 463 acres
- [Scott Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/scott-lake) - 2.6 miles, 157 acres
- [Miller Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/miller-lake) - 2.9 miles, 132 acres
- [Nokay Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/nokay-lake) - 2.9 miles, 704 acres
- [Clearwater Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/clearwater-lake) - 3 miles, 905 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.35187,-93.91596)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=18005000)
- [All lakes in Crow Wing County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county)

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