Portage Lake
Hubbard County, Minnesota, near Park Rapids. DNR lake ID 29025000.
Portage Lake is a 428.7-acre lake in Hubbard County, Minnesota, near Park Rapids. Its deepest point reaches 17 ft, and about 96% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 5.9 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the eutrophic nutrient class. It is part of the Potato Lake Chain. It is not on the DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch.
Buying or selling on Portage Lake? Ask us what lakeshore here actually sells for, which stretches of shoreline buyers compete for, and what’s coming up before it’s listed.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 29025000 |
|---|---|
| County | Hubbard County, near Park Rapids |
| Surface area | 428.7 acres |
| Maximum depth | 17 ft |
| Mean depth | 10.0 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 96% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 5.9 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 36.1 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 14.4 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Eutrophic |
| Clarity trend | Murkier (2016 to 2025) |
| Boating chain | Potato Lake Chain |
| Invasive species | Not on DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026) |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 5.9 ft, phosphorus 36.1 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 14.4 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Portage Lake rates as eutrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: murkier.
Fishing on Portage Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2022 (4 years ago). Catch per net is compared with the DNR’s typical range for lakes of the same type.
| Species | Net | Catch per net | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | gill | 0.89 | 1.5 to 5.8 |
| Walleye | trap | 0.11 | 0.3 to 0.8 |
| Northern pike | gill | 12.33 | 4.6 to 11.6 |
| Northern pike | trap | 1.67 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 5.11 | 8.0 to 40.3 |
| Yellow perch | trap | 0.33 | 0.8 to 4.5 |
| Black crappie | gill | 2.11 | 1.0 to 7.3 |
| Black crappie | trap | 0.11 | 0.8 to 6.5 |
| Bluegill | gill | 3.22 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 16.56 | 2.5 to 25.0 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 0.44 | 0.3 to 1.3 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.33 | 0.3 to 0.9 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 2.11 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 6.78 | 1.4 to 8.6 |
| Rock bass | gill | 0.11 | 0.3 to 1.8 |
| Rock bass | trap | 0.11 | 0.3 to 1.4 |
Walleye catch was below the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Walleye 20.0 in (2022), Northern pike 29.0 in (2022), Largemouth bass 17.0 in (2022).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Rock bass, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead, Black bullhead.
Fishing regulations
No lake-specific regulation found in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
Not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means no confirmed listing, not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
Public boat access
- Portage Lake: 1 natural launch ramp, 1 dock, 12 trailer spaces. 4 miles northwest of Park Rapids, off County Road 34, on a Township Road, on the south shore of Portage Lake. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Potato Lake Chain
Potato Lake flows to Fish Hook Lake through the Potato River, Portage Lake drains into Fish Hook, and Potato connects upstream to Eagle and Island lakes. Just north of Park Rapids. Channel depths vary, so check boat passage locally.
Potato Lake, Fish Hook Lake, Eagle Lake, Island Lake
Nearby lakes
- Fish Hook Lake 2.9 mi, Hubbard County
- Mud Lake 3.7 mi, Hubbard County
- Potato Lake 4.2 mi, Hubbard County
- Eagle Lake 4.5 mi, Hubbard County
- Sweitzer Lake 5.6 mi, Hubbard County
- Two Inlets Lake 5.6 mi, Becker County
- Island Lake 5.7 mi, Hubbard County
- Rice Lake 6.4 mi, Hubbard County
Questions about Portage Lake
How deep is Portage Lake?
Portage Lake reaches a maximum depth of 17 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 96% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Portage Lake?
Portage Lake covers about 428.7 acres in Hubbard County, Minnesota.
How clear is Portage Lake?
Summer water clarity on Portage Lake averages 5.9 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is eutrophic.
Does Portage Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
Portage Lake is not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means there is no confirmed listing; it is not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
What fish are in Portage Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, rock bass, white sucker, yellow bullhead in Portage Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2022.
Where is the public boat access on Portage Lake?
Portage Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Portage Lake.
How is the walleye population on Portage Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1992 to 2022, walleye numbers on Portage Lake ran mostly within the typical range for similar lakes. Nets measure how many fish a lake holds, not where they’re biting, so local guides are the best source for current fishing.
Are there lake homes for sale on Portage Lake?
Homes on Portage Lake come up for sale throughout the year, and some sell before they’re ever publicly advertised. Tell us what you’re looking for and our agents will run a custom search and send you matching homes on Portage Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Portage Lake?
A mid-size lake with room for boating and fishing, about 96% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 5.9 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Portage Lake?
No lake-specific regulation was found for Portage Lake in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Ask us about Portage Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Hubbard County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2022), DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026), Minnesota Rules 6264.0400 (April 2026), MPCA monitoring via the Water Quality Portal, DNR water access records (2023), LAGOS-US. Lakewide information from public data; it does not describe any specific property. Verify shoreline, bottom type, and depth at any frontage.