Portage Lake

View in the App

Size

64ac

Boat Launch

Carry-in Launch

Toilet

Boat Dock

Species in Portage Lake

Bluegill

Crappie

Largemouth bass

Northern pike

Perch

Pumpkinseed

Rock bass

Walleye

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.

Portage Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

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.

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.

Forage

Bowstring Lake - Perch, mimic shiner and Spottail shiner are the most important forage species. White sucker, redhorse, common shiner, golden shiner, blacknose shiner, bluntnose minnow and tullibee are also utilized.Sand Lake - Perch and Spottail shiner are the primary forage species. Blacknose shiner, common shiner, golden shiner, bluntnose minnow, white sucker, Johnny darter and tullibee (cisco) are also present.

Seasonal Movements

Bowstring Lake - Walleye move to the north shore in spring to spawn. Northern pike migrate to Grouse Bay and the Bowstring River inlet during March and April to spawn. Sand Lake - Northern pike move into the Bowstring River, Cedar Creek and the channel to Mushgee Lake to spawn during March and April.

logo

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Start 7-Day Free Trial

Buy onX Fish Midwest

Fish Species

Bluegill

No survey data

Abundance (CPUE)

No abundance 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

No survey data

Abundance (CPUE)

No abundance 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

No survey data

Abundance (CPUE)

No abundance 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

No survey data

Abundance (CPUE)

No abundance 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

No survey data

Abundance (CPUE)

No abundance 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

No survey data

Abundance (CPUE)

No abundance 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

No survey data

Abundance (CPUE)

No abundance 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

No survey data

Abundance (CPUE)

No abundance 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