Portage

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Portage Lake was conducted on August 16-17, 2021, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 18 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 16 stations and a 15-foot seine was used to sample two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, and Rock Bass) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2021 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Portage Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Leech Lake River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Portage Lake is a 1,539-acre lake with 7.91 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 55 feet located west of Bena, MN. A US Forest Service owned public access is located on the north shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Portage Lake is in Lake Class 27; lakes in this class are generally large, deep, regularly shaped lakes. Other area lakes in this class include Ada, Crooked, and Webb. The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Walleye. Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), and Yellow Perch are secondary management species. Northern Pike abundance declined from previous surveys but remained within management goals. Size structure goals were met as average length and weight of Northern Pike was 24 inches and 3.5 pounds, and Northern Pike ranged in length from 20 to 37 inches. Walleye abundance was the highest recorded on Portage and well above management goals. Walleye lengths ranged from 13 to 26 inches with an average length of 17 inches. Yellow Perch numbers were above management goals and perch up to 10 inches long were sampled. No Largemouth Bass were sampled in 2021 and this is consistent with previous surveys. Bluegill were sampled in low numbers with an average length of 5 inches and fish up to 9 inches sampled. Black Crappie abundance was below management goals, and crappie ranged in length from 4 to 13 inches. Other fish species sampled include, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Portage Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Portage Lake is a 1,488-acre lake located near Bena, Minnesota that has 7.91 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 55 feet. There is a US Forest Service-owned public access on the north shore. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Portage Lake is in Lake Class 27; lakes in the class are generally very large, deep, have regular shorelines and have very hard water. Portage Lake has a good population of walleye, with abundance similar to other lakes in this class. The average size of walleye sampled was 16 inches and 1.5 pounds, however fish up to almost 28 inches were sampled. Black crappie from 7 to 12 inches were found during the DNR survey. The abundance of northern pike was comparable to other lakes in this class. The average size of northern pike sampled was 21 inches and 3 pounds, and fish up to 34 inches were collected. Few largemouth bass were sampled, however fish up to 18 inches were found. Bluegill abundance was lower than in most lakes in this class, and bluegill from 5 to 10 inches were found. Pumpkinseed sunfish were more abundant than bluegill, and pumpkinseed ranged from 4 inches to over 8 inches. Yellow perch were very abundant in Portage Lake. Though most were small, about 5 percent were in the 8- to 10-inch range. Other species available for anglers include bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, cisco (tullibee), rock bass, white sucker, and yellow bullhead. Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in Portage Lake and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesotas lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines cant support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants and natural lake bottom soils. Plants in the water and at the waters edge provide habitat, prevent erosion and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, and Hybrid Sunfish in Portage. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Portage. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Portage has a maximum depth of 55 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Portage is from 2021.

Yes — Portage has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.