Portage Lake
About Portage Lake
Portage Lake is a 715-acre lake near Inger in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 60 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 10 miles of shoreline.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
There is one public boat launch. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.
Plan Your Visit to Portage Lake
- 715 acres, up to 60 feet deep, near Inger
- 1 public boat launch
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 715 acres
- Max depth
- 60 ft
- Shoreline
- 10 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 36 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
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
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
Sand Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Squaw Lake3,579 acres
2.6 miles away
Rush Island Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Talmoon297 acres
3 miles away
Cedar Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Oslund178 acres
4 miles away
Bowstring Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Deer River9,528 acres
4.1 miles away
Little Sand Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Squaw Lake353 acres
5.2 miles away
Little Whitefish Lake
25 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Oslund160 acres
6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Portage Lake?
Portage Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Inger. It covers 715 acres and reaches 60 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Portage Lake?
Portage Lake covers 715 acres with about 10 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 60 feet.
What fish can you catch at Portage Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Portage Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Portage Lake?
Yes. Portage Lake has 1 public boat launch. 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.
Are there special fishing regulations on Portage Lake?
Yes. All from 20-24" must be immediately released. Only one over 24" allowed in possession.
Does Portage Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Portage Lake as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.