Portage

Crow Wing County

Near Riverton

DOW: 18011500

Northern PikeExcellent · 79Black CrappieGood · 69BluegillGood · 58

A 76-acre lake near Riverton in Crow Wing County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1988.

Fish Species (7)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 79

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.20 lbs

Catch rate: 11.5 per gill net · typical 4.5–11.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1988	11.50	-	3.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Good · 69

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 31.5 per gill net · typical 1–11.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1988	31.50	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 15, 1988	20.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 58

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 123.0 per trap net · typical 4.9–49.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1988	123.00	-	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 15, 1988	2.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 56

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.03 lbs

Catch rate: 50.7 per trap net · typical 1.7–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1988	50.67	-	0.03 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 30

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1988	0.33	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 15, 1988	1.00	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Yellow Bullhead

Excellent · 77

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.37 lbs

Catch rate: 42.7 per trap net · typical 2.2–16.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1988	51.50	-	0.19 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 15, 1988	42.67	-	0.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Poor · 20

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1–3.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1988	0.50	-	0.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

August 15, 1988Northern pike, yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed, bluegill and black crappie net catches indicate above average population levels. These species catch rate…

Northern pike, yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed, bluegill and black crappie net catches indicate above average population levels. These species catch rates exceeded the third quartile of the area median for lakes of less than 230 acres with a total alkalinity of greater than 47.6 ppm but less than 89.9 ppm. White sucker and yellow perch exhibited below average population levels. Northern pike increased with a catch of 11.5/lift is compared to 3.0/lift in 1973. The length frequency ranged from 20.0 to 26.9 inches. The whole population caught were 3 and 4 year olds which exhibited average to fast growth rates. They also showed a 3.2 lbs median weight. The pumpkinseed population level was also up from the 1973 survey, with the fish being very small. The black crappie population level was up and showed a good length frequency range with fish from 4.0 to 13.0 inches exhibiting average growth rates. The yellow perch population level was very low, however there were no yellow perch taken in the 1973 survey. Looking at the year classes present, it appears the lake winterkilled in 1984.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Portage?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch in Portage. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Portage?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Portage. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Portage?

Portage has a maximum depth of 31 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Portage last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Portage is from 1988. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.