Portage Lake

Boat Ramps: 2
Access Points: 2
Species: 20

Portage Lake in Houghton County, Michigan, is a magnificent 9,640-acre freshwater lake located in the Keweenaw Peninsula, serving as part of the historic Keweenaw Waterway system. This lake cuts across the peninsula with a maximum depth of 50 feet and connects to Lake Superior at both ends, creating a unique and productive fishery. The lake's connection to Lake Superior provides exceptional water quality and abundant forage, supporting some of the largest fish in the entire state. With dense forests and rolling hills surrounding its shores, Portage Lake offers both scenic beauty and world-class fishing opportunities for walleyes, smallmouth bass, and northern pike.

Michigan licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Portage Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Walleye27,665 fish · 2.2 inJul 1, 2025
Walleye47,374 fish · 1.7 inJun 27, 2025
Walleye37,273 fish · 1.6 inJun 28, 2023
Walleye73,315 fish · 1.6 inJun 27, 2023
Walleye85,097 fish · 1.7 inJun 18, 2021

Source

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Portage Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Keweenaw Tackle Company

Shop

Know where you can legally fish on Portage Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Michigan licenses and regulations

Michigan Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

Learn more

Michigan Fishing License

You must purchase a fishing license if you are 17 years of age or older to fish. If you are under 17, you may fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. Any adult actively assisting a minor who does not have a license must have a fishing license. Please note, a license is required when targeting fish, amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles. Michigan's annual fishing license is valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year.

Learn more

Michigan Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

Learn more

Michigan Stream Access Laws

The public has a right to use a waterway for pleasure, travel, or commercial navigation. The right extends to wading on the streambed or traveling on ice. While constant movement is not required, neither can a vessel be permanently moored or use the waterway as a parking spot. The riparian owner (the owner of the land along the water) owns the streambed, but that right is subordinate to the right of navigation. On non-navigable waters the riparian owner has the right to fish and can exclude the public from fishing on such waters. But on navigable waters, the rights of the private owners are inferior to the public trust right to fish the waters.

Learn more

Take Portage Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Portage Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Portage Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.