Portage Lake

Portage Lake

View in the App
Size
64ac
Boat Launch
No
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Portage Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Walleye
Walleye

Portage Lake Overview

Often overshadowed by nearby Lake Winnibigoshish, these lakes provide great walleye action. Crappie, northern pike and perch also present. Weedlines concentrate Sand Lake walleye, while midlake structure holds many fish on Bowstring.

Fishing Regulations in Portage Lake

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Location: Including connecting Sand, Birds Eye Lake, Little Sand, and Bowstring River upstream to County Road 35 bridge and downstream to mouth of Rice Lake.

  • Walleye: All from 17-26” must be immediately released. One over 26” allowed in possession.

Portage Lake Features

Bowstring Lake is located within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and is part of a chain of lakes on the Bowstring River. The lake is often windswept and can be rough. While fishing is generally best on the windward shore, the leeward side is safer during periods of high wind. Fishing pressure on Bowstring is heavy in spring, but only moderate during summer because of its proximity to Lake Winnibigoshish. Bowstring has abundant wild rice beds, but harvesting is restricted to Leech Lake Indian tribal members. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has fish consumption advisories on walleye and northern pike. Check state advisory publication for details. Sand Lake is located within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and the Chippewa National Forest. It is part of a chain of lakes on the Bowstring River. Like Bowstring, Sand Lake can also become windswept and rough.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Crappie
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Perch
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Pumpkinseed
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Rock bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data

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Mushgee Lake

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Birds Eye Lake

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Sand Lake

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Boat Launch: Yes

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Bowstring Lake

Size: 9193 acres

Fish Species: 11

Boat Launch: Yes