Portage Lake
About Portage Lake
Portage Lake is a 429-acre lake near Park Rapids in Hubbard County, Minnesota. It reaches 17 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 5.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.9 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 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 2022.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around April 18, based on 73 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Portage Lake
- 429 acres, up to 17 feet deep, near Park Rapids
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 5.9 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 429 acres
- Max depth
- 17 ft
- Average depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 410 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
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 12
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 18
- Years of record
- 73
- Earliest
- March 14, 2024
- Latest
- May 9, 2013
- Most recent
- March 14, 2024
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.
See how Portage Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Portage Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Portage Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Portage Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Fish Hook Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids1,643 acres
2.9 miles away
Potato Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids2,096 acres
4.2 miles away
Eagle Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids424 acres
4.5 miles away
Sweitzer Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids114 acres
5.6 miles away
Two Inlets Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Two Inlets578 acres
5.6 miles away
Island Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids541 acres
5.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Portage Lake?
Portage Lake is in Hubbard County, Minnesota, near Park Rapids. It covers 429 acres and reaches 17 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Portage Lake?
Portage Lake covers 429 acres with about 5.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 17 feet and its average depth is about 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Portage Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, 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?
Yes. Portage Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
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.
When does the ice go out on Portage Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 18, from 73 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 14, 2024 and the latest is May 9, 2013.