Minnesota Fishing Guide

Big Portage

Cass County, Minnesota — DOW #11030800

181 Surveys

Special Regulations for Big Portage

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

902.34
Acres
23 ft
Max Depth
0
13
Fish Species
25
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Big Portage. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.8 0.92 lb 3
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.8 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.9 0.45 lb 6
1997-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.8 0.93 lb 3
1997-07-28 Standard gill nets 1.3 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.9 1.00 lb 10
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.5 – 9.9 1.08 lb 16
2007-07-23 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.8 1.27 lb 1
2007-07-23 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.5 – 9.9 1.22 lb 12
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 4.9 (normal) 1.5 – 9.9 1.09 lb 39
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 0.5 — 0.86 lb 5
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.8 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.8 0.76 lb 11
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.5 – 9.9 1.02 lb 18
2023-07-10 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.8 0.84 lb 2
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 5.0 (normal) 1.5 – 9.9 1.22 lb 40
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 0.4 — — 13

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.17 lb 16
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 18.4 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.17 lb 147
1997-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.14 lb 5
1997-07-28 Standard gill nets 30.4 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.18 lb 243
1997-07-28 Special trap nets 2.7 — 0.08 lb 8
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.14 lb 2
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 5.3 (below normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.13 lb 42
2007-07-23 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.39 lb 1
2007-07-23 Standard gill nets 25.9 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.15 lb 207
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 15.8 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.22 lb 126
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.6 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.19 lb 8
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 39.9 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.18 lb 319
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 6.5 (below normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.07 lb 52
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 0.1 — — 2

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 2.4 (normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.56 lb 19
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 2.4 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.72 lb 29
1997-07-28 Standard gill nets 6.3 (above normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.64 lb 50
1997-07-28 Special trap nets 4.0 — 0.56 lb 12
1997-07-28 Standard trap nets 3.3 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.74 lb 40
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 3.8 (normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.58 lb 30
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 3.0 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.69 lb 36
2007-07-23 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.72 lb 16
2007-07-23 Standard trap nets 2.0 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.83 lb 24
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 5.6 (above normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.55 lb 45
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 7.0 — 0.54 lb 77
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 3.8 (normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.60 lb 30
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 3.2 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.71 lb 45
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 5.4 (above normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.69 lb 43
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 3.2 — — 100
2023-07-10 Standard trap nets 1.6 (below normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.71 lb 17

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 14.6 (above normal) 4.6 – 11.6 1.86 lb 117
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.5 — 0.86 lb 18
1997-07-28 Standard gill nets 8.4 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 1.89 lb 67
1997-07-28 Special trap nets 0.7 — 0.10 lb 2
1997-07-28 Standard trap nets 1.3 — 1.82 lb 15
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 6.0 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 1.38 lb 48
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.8 — 1.81 lb 9
2007-07-23 Standard gill nets 10.6 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 1.82 lb 85
2007-07-23 Standard trap nets 2.0 — 2.79 lb 24
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 9.6 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 1.34 lb 77
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 0.7 — 0.88 lb 8
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 11.8 (above normal) 4.6 – 11.6 1.93 lb 94
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 1.3 — 1.92 lb 18
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 6.9 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 1.59 lb 55
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 1.2 — — 37
2023-07-10 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 1.18 lb 2

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.3 0.08 lb 1

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.77 lb 1
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.77 lb 6
1997-07-28 Special trap nets 1.3 — 0.31 lb 4
1997-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.32 lb 5
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.17 lb 5
2007-07-23 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.29 lb 4
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 2.2 — 0.46 lb 24
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.20 lb 1
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 2.1 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.44 lb 30
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 0.0 — — 1

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 1.4 (below normal) 1.5 – 5.8 2.63 lb 11
1997-07-28 Standard electrofishing 5.7 — 1.46 lb 8
1997-07-28 Standard gill nets 2.6 (normal) 1.5 – 5.8 2.63 lb 21
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 4.4 (normal) 1.5 – 5.8 1.47 lb 35
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.8 7.54 lb 1
2007-07-23 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 1.5 – 5.8 3.17 lb 24
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 1.5 – 5.8 2.70 lb 24
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 0.2 — 6.28 lb 2
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 2.8 (normal) 1.5 – 5.8 2.13 lb 22
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 0.8 3.84 lb 5
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 0.9 (below normal) 1.5 – 5.8 4.61 lb 7
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 0.2 — — 5

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.63 lb 1
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 0.2 — 0.34 lb 2
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 2.0 — 0.45 lb 16
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 0.54 lb 5
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.18 lb 1
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 0.1 — — 3
2023-07-10 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 0.33 lb 5

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 1.1 — 0.16 lb 9
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 13.0 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.20 lb 156
1997-07-28 Standard gill nets 2.9 — 0.43 lb 23
1997-07-28 Special trap nets 117.0 — — 351
1997-07-28 Standard trap nets 4.3 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.24 lb 51
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 2.9 — 0.14 lb 23
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 4.6 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.15 lb 55
2007-07-23 Standard gill nets 1.3 — 0.05 lb 10
2007-07-23 Standard trap nets 4.8 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.16 lb 58
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 10.0 — 0.21 lb 80
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 10.8 — 0.25 lb 119
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 4.8 — 0.39 lb 38
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 19.2 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.20 lb 269
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 8.1 — 0.21 lb 65
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 9.3 — 0.29 lb 287
2023-07-10 Standard trap nets 9.0 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.26 lb 99

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 1.4 — 0.11 lb 11
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 5.3 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.17 lb 63
1997-07-28 Standard gill nets 2.0 — 0.22 lb 16
1997-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.9 (below normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.20 lb 11
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 4.4 — 0.24 lb 35
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.18 lb 28
2007-07-23 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.19 lb 2
2007-07-23 Standard trap nets 1.4 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.29 lb 17
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 1.0 — 0.20 lb 8
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 21.2 — 0.30 lb 233
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 2.9 — 0.20 lb 23
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 4.5 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.30 lb 63
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 3.9 — 0.20 lb 31
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 6.8 — — 211
2023-07-10 Standard trap nets 1.6 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.24 lb 17

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 5.5 2.82 lb 8
1997-07-28 Standard gill nets 1.8 (normal) 1.0 – 5.5 2.86 lb 14
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 2.5 (normal) 1.0 – 5.5 2.53 lb 20
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.5 0.98 lb 2
2007-07-23 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.0 – 5.5 2.45 lb 1
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.0 – 5.5 2.38 lb 4
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 4.3 (normal) 1.0 – 5.5 1.98 lb 34
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.5 3.00 lb 4

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 2.6 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.20 lb 21
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.54 lb 12
1997-07-28 Standard electrofishing 10.0 — 0.42 lb 14
1997-07-28 Standard gill nets 7.1 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.60 lb 57
1997-07-28 Special trap nets 0.7 — — 2
1997-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.7 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.42 lb 8
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 1.4 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.37 lb 11
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.94 lb 2
2007-07-23 Standard electrofishing 9.0 — 0.31 lb 9
2007-07-23 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.19 lb 8
2007-07-23 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.28 lb 4
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 5.5 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.22 lb 44
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 0.9 — 0.41 lb 10
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.73 lb 12
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.20 lb 2
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 13.1 (above normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.22 lb 105
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 4.5 — 0.44 lb 140
2023-07-10 Standard trap nets 1.6 (normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.36 lb 17

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.9 – 57.5 1.23 lb 1
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.9 – 57.5 1.10 lb 1

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.9 2.43 lb 1
1997-07-28 Standard electrofishing 4.3 — 1.39 lb 6
1997-07-28 Special trap nets 1.7 — 0.03 lb 5
1997-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.45 lb 8
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.44 lb 3
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.08 lb 1
2007-07-23 Standard electrofishing 2.0 — 0.17 lb 2
2007-07-23 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.57 lb 6
2007-07-23 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.34 lb 6
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.69 lb 5
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 0.8 — 0.95 lb 9
2016-05-31 Standard electrofishing 8.0 — 0.65 lb 16
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.56 lb 8
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 0.9 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.07 lb 7
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 0.2 — — 7
2023-07-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.9 2.00 lb 1

Bowfin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.2 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 3.72 lb 14
1997-07-28 Standard gill nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.5 5.19 lb 3
1997-07-28 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 3.64 lb 7
2002-07-22 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.5 3.21 lb 2
2002-07-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.7 3.68 lb 3
2007-07-23 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.7 4.58 lb 5
2017-07-17 Standard gill nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.5 5.65 lb 3
2016-05-31 Special trap nets 0.9 — 4.04 lb 10
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 1.5 3.70 lb 5
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 3.95 lb 11
2023-07-10 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.5 4.28 lb 2
2023-07-10 Special trap nets 0.3 — — 11
2023-07-10 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.7 5.35 lb 3

BNS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1997-07-28 Special trap nets 15.0 — 45

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1997-07-28 Special trap nets 28.7 — 86

BCS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1997-07-28 Special trap nets 25.0 — 75

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Beimert Outdoors

Brainerd, MN

(218) 746-4018

★ 5

Big Nasty Tackle

Cass Lake, MN

(218) 339-2274

★ 3.1

Chad Zbasnik Fishing

Walker, MN

(218) 252-5363

Corner Store Depot & Liquor

Brainerd, MN

(218) 824-2007

★ 4.7

Dean's Bait, Walker

Walker, MN

(218) 547-2248

★ 4.8

Full Stringer Bait and Tackle

Longville, MN

(218) 363-2031

★ 4.8

Lakes Area Powersports

Walker, MN

(218) 547-1558

★ 4.6

Leech Lake Distributors

Walker, MN

(218) 547-1505

Nearby Marinas

Bar Harbor Pontoon Rentals

Lake Shore, MN

(218) 855-2651

★ 5

Bentley Pontoons Boat & Snowmobile Storage

Longville, MN

Blackwater lake access

Longville, MN

651-296-6157

★ 4.8

Bradford & Blake Boat Storage

Hackensack, MN

(218) 348-9580

Brainerd Lakes Marine LLC

Pequot Lakes, MN

(218) 821-1648

Captain Gary Leech Lake Pontoon Rental

Walker, MN

(218) 547-2231

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Big Portage

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Big Portage.

Decoy Lodge (Cabin 106) at Bluewater Lodge Resort
Fishing Resort Walker

(714) 235-6033
Ice Guys Fish House Rentals
Fishing Resort East Gull Lake

(218) 851-6488
Leech Lake Cabins
Fishing Resort Walker

(218) 766-6878
Lien's Resort
Fishing Resort Longville

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Big Portage. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillBowfin (Dogfish)Brown BullheadHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Big Portage

Adventures Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 232-6556
Bobby G's Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 831-7711
Boggs Fishing Adventures
Fishing Guide

(218) 820-5612
Brainerd Lakes Area Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(763) 670-6033
Brainerd Lakes Guides
Fishing Guide

(218) 866-2876
Chuck Emery Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 536-0348

View all 25 guides →

Other Lakes in Cass County

Ada

963.31 acres

Agate

157.41 acres

Alice

96.21 acres

Andrus

55.81 acres

Anway

20.93 acres

Baby

737.32 acres

Plan Your Trip to Big Portage

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.