Portage
Itasca County, Minnesota — DOW #31082400
Special Regulations for Portage
This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.
- All from 20-24" must be immediately released. Only one over 24" allowed in possession. (Including connecting Birds Eye Lake, Little Sand Lake, Portage Lake, Rice Lake, and Bowstring River upstream to County Road 35 bridge and downstream to the County Road 145 bridge.)
Invasive Species Alert
Portage has confirmed populations of:
- zebra mussel
Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.
DNR Fish Surveys
Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Portage. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.
Brown Bullhead
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 0.5 (normal) | 0.5 – 2.2 | 1.00 lb | 2 |
| 1978-08-07 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 2.2 | 1.70 lb | 1 |
Yellow Perch
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 4.8 (above normal) | 0.5 – 3.8 | 0.17 lb | 19 |
| 1986-07-17 | Standard gill nets | 5.7 (normal) | 1.5 – 23.0 | 0.14 lb | 17 |
| 1978-08-07 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 3.8 | 0.80 lb | 1 |
| 1978-08-07 | Standard gill nets | 1.0 (below normal) | 1.5 – 23.0 | 0.05 lb | 2 |
Northern Pike
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard gill nets | 5.0 (normal) | 2.8 – 8.7 | 1.51 lb | 15 |
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 | — | 0.40 lb | 1 |
| 1978-08-07 | Standard gill nets | 1.5 (below normal) | 2.8 – 8.7 | 0.93 lb | 3 |
GLR
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard gill nets | 0.3 | — | 3.30 lb | 1 |
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 | — | 5.20 lb | 1 |
Rock Bass
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard gill nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 2.0 | 0.70 lb | 1 |
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 0.8 (normal) | 0.5 – 2.8 | 0.37 lb | 3 |
| 1978-08-07 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 2.8 | 1.10 lb | 1 |
Yellow Bullhead
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 0.8 (below normal) | 1.0 – 8.4 | 0.57 lb | 3 |
Walleye
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard gill nets | 1.3 (normal) | 0.5 – 3.3 | 1.52 lb | 4 |
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 0.8 (normal) | 0.2 – 0.8 | 1.43 lb | 3 |
| 1978-08-07 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (normal) | 0.2 – 0.8 | 7.80 lb | 1 |
Black Bullhead
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard gill nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 11.0 | 0.60 lb | 1 |
Pumpkinseed
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 1.5 (normal) | 1.3 – 6.3 | 0.15 lb | 6 |
| 1978-08-07 | Standard trap nets | 0.7 (below normal) | 1.3 – 6.3 | 0.50 lb | 2 |
Bluegill
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 1.5 (below normal) | 5.7 – 40.5 | 0.30 lb | 6 |
| 1978-08-07 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 5.7 – 40.5 | 0.90 lb | 1 |
Bowfin
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 0.5 (normal) | 0.4 – 1.3 | 5.40 lb | 2 |
White Sucker
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.3 – 0.7 | 2.10 lb | 1 |
Black Crappie
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986-07-17 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 3.3 | 0.40 lb | 1 |
| 1978-08-07 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 0.5 – 3.3 | 0.50 lb | 1 |
Tullibee (Cisco)
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978-08-07 | Standard gill nets | 15.5 (above normal) | 1.0 – 13.3 | 0.97 lb | 31 |
Largemouth Bass
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978-08-07 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (normal) | 0.3 – 1.6 | 4.50 lb | 1 |
RHS
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978-08-07 | Standard trap nets | 1.0 | — | 5.90 lb | 3 |
Depth Maps & Lake Info
Map & Directions
Get DirectionsShowing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.
Nearby Bait & Tackle
Best Bet Waxworm Wholesale Bait & Breeder Kits
Deer River, MN
★ 5Bite Me Waxworms Wholesale Bait Shop
Deer River, MN
★ 3.7Diamond Custom Rods
Grand Rapids, MN
★ 5Fred's Live Bait & Tackle
Deer River, MN
★ 4.8Frontier Sports
Marcell, MN
★ 4.6Glen's Army & Navy Store
Grand Rapids, MN
★ 4.3God's Country Outfitters
Grand Rapids, MN
★ 4.4Hollywood Bait
Coleraine, MN
★ 4.5Nearby Marinas
Resorts & Lodges Near Portage
Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Portage.
Fish Species
Species known to inhabit Portage. Click any species for a full fishing guide.
Fishing Guides Near Portage
Other Lakes in Itasca County
Plan Your Trip to Portage
- Weather forecast for Portage — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
- GPS: 47.5825°N, 93.9708°W — Get Directions
- View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
- Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us
Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.