Minnesota Fishing Guide

Portage

Aitkin County, Minnesota — DOW #01006900

152 Surveys
372.44
Acres
18 ft
Max Depth
8 ft
Mean Depth
11
Fish Species
3
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.1 – 17.4 0.87 lb 3
1992-07-13 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.9 – 57.5 0.59 lb 9
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.1 – 17.4 0.37 lb 4
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.9 – 57.5 0.26 lb 1
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 2.9 (normal) 1.1 – 17.4 0.20 lb 35
2022-06-27 Standard gill nets 96.0 (above normal) 1.9 – 57.5 0.11 lb 384
1987-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.6 (below normal) 1.1 – 17.4 0.62 lb 6
1987-07-13 Standard gill nets 14.8 (normal) 1.9 – 57.5 0.70 lb 59
2022-08-10 Backpack electrofishing 0.7 — — 1
1971-07-12 Standard gill nets 122.0 (above normal) 1.9 – 57.5 0.25 lb 366
1971-07-12 Standard trap nets 27.2 (above normal) 1.1 – 17.4 0.35 lb 136

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.8 1.04 lb 5
1992-07-13 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.5 – 9.9 1.23 lb 6
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 3.5 — — 42
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.9 (normal) 1.5 – 9.8 1.20 lb 23
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.8 0.71 lb 6
2022-06-27 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.5 – 9.9 0.49 lb 6
2002-07-15 Standard gill nets 0.8 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.9 0.67 lb 3
2002-07-15 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.8 0.80 lb 2
1987-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.6 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.8 1.05 lb 6
1987-07-13 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.5 – 9.9 0.70 lb 1

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.7 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.17 lb 8
1992-07-13 Standard gill nets 17.8 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.11 lb 71
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 0.3 — 0.05 lb 3
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 3.7 (normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.08 lb 44
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 8.6 — — 4
2012-06-25 15-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 5
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 36.5 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.05 lb 146
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.15 lb 21
2022-06-27 Standard gill nets 23.0 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.16 lb 92
2002-07-15 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.10 lb 10
2002-07-15 Standard gill nets 9.0 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.06 lb 36
1987-07-13 Standard trap nets 3.5 (normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.11 lb 38
1987-07-13 Standard gill nets 56.0 (above normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.08 lb 224
2022-08-10 Backpack electrofishing 0.7 — — 1
2022-08-10 50-ft beach seine 6.2 — — 31
1971-07-12 Standard trap nets 5.4 (above normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.15 lb 27
1971-07-12 Standard gill nets 23.0 (normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.11 lb 69

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard gill nets 6.8 (above normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.95 lb 27
1992-07-13 Standard trap nets 6.2 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.74 lb 74
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 9.9 — — 119
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.54 lb 1
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 14.6 (above normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.70 lb 175
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 6.5 — — 3
2022-06-27 Standard gill nets 2.8 (normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.43 lb 11
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 2.4 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.54 lb 29
2002-07-15 Standard gill nets 7.5 (above normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.94 lb 30
2002-07-15 Standard trap nets 5.2 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.73 lb 62
1987-07-13 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.70 lb 4
1987-07-13 Standard trap nets 3.2 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.72 lb 35
1971-07-12 Standard trap nets 4.4 (normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.74 lb 22

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard gill nets 11.3 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 4.64 lb 45
1992-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.8 — 3.49 lb 9
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 10.4 — 2.33 lb 125
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 6.5 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 2.75 lb 26
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.8 — 2.10 lb 9
2022-06-27 Standard gill nets 16.0 (above normal) 4.6 – 11.6 2.31 lb 64
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 1.85 lb 13
2002-07-15 Standard gill nets 11.0 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 2.62 lb 44
2002-07-15 Standard trap nets 0.6 — 1.89 lb 7
1987-07-13 Standard gill nets 2.8 (below normal) 4.6 – 11.6 2.67 lb 11
1987-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.6 — 1.72 lb 6
2022-08-10 50-ft beach seine 0.8 — — 4
2022-08-10 15-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 1
1971-07-12 Standard gill nets 4.7 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 0.33 lb 14
1971-07-12 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 4.52 lb 5

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 2.3 0.10 lb 4
2022-06-27 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 2.3 0.11 lb 3
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 4.2 (above normal) 0.2 – 0.7 0.08 lb 50
1987-07-13 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 2.3 0.10 lb 3
2022-08-10 50-ft beach seine 16.0 — — 80
2022-08-10 Backpack electrofishing 1.4 — — 2
2022-08-10 15-ft beach seine 37.0 — — 37
1971-07-12 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 0.20 lb 3

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 0.33 lb 3
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 0.10 lb 3
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 2.1 — — 1
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.33 lb 1

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard gill nets 7.0 — 0.35 lb 28
1992-07-13 Standard trap nets 16.8 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.21 lb 202
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 11.7 — 0.09 lb 140
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 148.6 — — 69
2012-06-25 15-ft beach seine 62.8 — — 314
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 23.9 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.09 lb 287
2022-06-27 Standard gill nets 1.0 — 0.20 lb 4
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 15.0 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.29 lb 180
2002-07-15 Standard trap nets 43.9 (above normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.06 lb 527
2002-07-15 Standard gill nets 3.8 — 0.07 lb 15
1987-07-13 Standard trap nets 1.4 (below normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.33 lb 16
2022-08-10 Backpack electrofishing 23.5 — — 33
2022-08-10 15-ft beach seine 8.0 — — 8
2022-08-10 50-ft beach seine 12.6 — — 63
1971-07-12 Standard trap nets 0.6 (below normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.47 lb 3

Bowfin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 0.5 – 1.5 4.02 lb 6
1992-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 4.41 lb 8
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 3.5 — 1.35 lb 42
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 2.4 (above normal) 0.5 – 1.7 4.77 lb 29
2022-06-27 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 1.5 3.98 lb 2
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 2.95 lb 9
2002-07-15 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 3.92 lb 9
2002-07-15 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 1.5 2.98 lb 2
1987-07-13 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.5 3.50 lb 1
1987-07-13 Standard trap nets 2.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 1.7 4.27 lb 25

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard gill nets 10.3 (above normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.24 lb 41
1992-07-13 Standard trap nets 7.6 (above normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.22 lb 91
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 44.8 — 0.06 lb 537
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 3.3 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.08 lb 13
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 3.7 (normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.13 lb 44
2022-06-27 Standard gill nets 12.3 (above normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.15 lb 49
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 16.3 (above normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.14 lb 196
2002-07-15 Standard gill nets 5.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.09 lb 20
2002-07-15 Standard trap nets 2.5 (normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.12 lb 30
1987-07-13 Standard gill nets 12.3 (above normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.12 lb 49
1987-07-13 Standard trap nets 12.4 (above normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.26 lb 137
2022-08-10 Backpack electrofishing 0.7 — — 1
2022-08-10 50-ft beach seine 1.6 — — 8

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-07-13 Standard trap nets 5.8 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.23 lb 69
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 0.1 — 0.14 lb 1
2012-06-25 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — — 1
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.16 lb 27
2022-06-27 Standard gill nets 2.0 — 0.09 lb 8
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 4.1 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.22 lb 49
2002-07-15 Standard gill nets 2.0 — 0.10 lb 8
2002-07-15 Standard trap nets 16.5 (above normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.06 lb 198
1987-07-13 Standard gill nets 0.8 — 0.20 lb 3
1987-07-13 Standard trap nets 5.7 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.30 lb 63
2022-08-10 Backpack electrofishing 5.0 — — 7
2022-08-10 15-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 1
2022-08-10 50-ft beach seine 7.8 — — 39
1971-07-12 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.85 lb 2

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 1.1 — 3.09 lb 13
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 8.6 — — 4
2012-06-25 15-ft beach seine 0.4 — — 2
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.93 lb 1
2022-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.30 lb 1
2002-07-15 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.71 lb 3
1987-07-13 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.97 lb 3
1987-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.67 lb 3
2022-08-10 Backpack electrofishing 1.4 — — 2
2022-08-10 15-ft beach seine 2.0 — — 2
2022-08-10 50-ft beach seine 4.0 — — 20

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 0.1 — 3.85 lb 1

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2012-03-27 Special trap nets 0.2 — 4.74 lb 2

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 2.1 — 1
2022-08-10 Backpack electrofishing 0.7 — 1
2022-08-10 15-ft beach seine 1.0 — 1
2022-08-10 50-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2012-06-25 15-ft beach seine 0.4 — 2
2022-08-10 50-ft beach seine 2.4 — 12

CNM

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-10 50-ft beach seine 0.4 — 2

CRP

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1971-07-12 Standard trap nets 20.4 — 0.28 lb 102
1971-07-12 Standard gill nets 14.7 — 0.13 lb 44

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

Aitkin Backwoods Farm Supply LLC

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-3112

★ 4.9

Bill's Sportsmans Service

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-2552

★ 4.8

Farm Island Store

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-3791

★ 4.7

Farm Island Store & Off Sale

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-3791

★ 4.7

Glen Store

Aitkin, MN

(320) 684-2229

★ 4.6

McGregor Oil

McGregor, MN

(218) 768-2055

★ 4.6

Sather's Gateway Store

McGregor, MN

(218) 426-3255

★ 4.4

Sue’s Bait shop

Aitkin, MN

(218) 851-2679

★ 4.5

Nearby Marinas

3K StorageMN on Lake Minnewawa

McGregor, MN

(218) 429-2108

★ 5

Aitkin Rental

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-6907

★ 4.5

Farm Island Repair and Marine

Aitkin, MN

(218) 927-6395

★ 4.7

FLOE International

McGregor, MN

(800) 336-6337

★ 4.8

Horseshoelakestorage.net

McGregor, MN

(218) 670-0063

★ 5

Libby Marine

McGregor, MN

(218) 994-9245

Resorts & Lodges Near Portage

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Portage.

Big Sandy Lake Cabin Rental
Fishing Resort McGregor

(612) 735-9455
McGregor Cabin Rentals
Fishing Resort McGregor

(218) 839-7545
Loaf N Leisure Resort and RV Park
Fishing Resort Aitkin

(218) 234-2882
Ole's Resort
Fishing Resort McGregor

(218) 426-3487

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillBowfin (Dogfish)Brown BullheadHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Portage

Mille Lacs Lake Fishing Guide
Fishing Guide

(651) 271-8600
Mille Lacs Lake Guiding
Fishing Guide

(763) 238-7507
North Mille Lacs Ice Fishing
Fishing Guide

(218) 670-5012

Other Lakes in Aitkin County

Aitkin

658.81 acres

Anderson

91.34 acres

Bachelor

53.56 acres

Ball Bluff

168.64 acres

Bass

56.98 acres

Bay

35.16 acres

Plan Your Trip to Portage

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