---
type: lake
name: "Portage Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Ottertail"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 269
max_depth_ft: 49
latitude: 46.4178
longitude: -95.53017
lake_score: 62
dnr_lake_id: "56014001"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/portage-lake
---

# Portage Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Ottertail

- **Surface Area**: 269 acres
- **Max Depth**: 49 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 62/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Portage Lake is a 269-acre lake near Ottertail in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 49 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.4 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 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 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 12
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **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, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Donalds Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/donalds-lake) - 1.1 miles, 166 acres
- [West Leaf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/west-leaf-lake) - 1.9 miles, 700 acres
- [Buchanan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/buchanan-lake) - 2.5 miles, 964 acres
- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/pickerel-lake-ottertail) - 3.1 miles, 71 acres
- [Middle Leaf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/middle-leaf-lake) - 3.8 miles, 404 acres
- [Rush Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/rush-lake) - 4.8 miles, 5,276 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.4178,-95.53017)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56014001)
- [All lakes in Otter Tail County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county)

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