Walleye Stocked · 10 plants · last October 28, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night Portage Lake fishing
Portage Lake fishing has Tiger Muskie and Walleye on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.2 times a year since 1980, most often in May and October. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night as the active times.
- Last stocked
- October 28, 2025
- · Walleye
- Plants on record
- 11
- Since 1980
- Species recorded
- 2
- Surface acres
- 396.9
Fish at Portage Lake
Walleye Stocked · 10 plants · last October 28, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Tiger Muskie Stocked · 1 plant · last September 17, 1980 Last stocked September 17, 1980 · 1 plant
Tiger Muskie species guideHow Portage Lake is stocked
About 180 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 7 lakes in Jackson County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 1980
1,000
Fish stocked in 2014
20,044
Fish stocked in 2015
41,983
Fish stocked in 2016
1,437
Fish stocked in 2018
1,664
Fish stocked in 2021
1,440
Fish stocked in 2022
1,436
Fish stocked in 2025
2,470
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2025 | Walleye | 2,470 | – | report |
| October 12, 2022 | Walleye | 1,436 | – | report |
| October 8, 2021 | Walleye | 1,440 | – | report |
| October 10, 2018 | Walleye | 1,108 | – | report |
| October 10, 2018 | Walleye | 556 | – | report |
| October 27, 2016 | Walleye | 1,437 | – | report |
| October 14, 2015 | Walleye | 1,800 | – | report |
| May 29, 2015 | Walleye | 40,183 | – | report |
| October 7, 2014 | Walleye | 1,794 | – | report |
| June 3, 2014 | Walleye | 18,250 | – | report |
| September 17, 1980 | Tiger Muskie | 1,000 | – | report |
Access and facts
- Facilities
- restrooms, dock, camping
Also called Big Portage Lake. The DNR launch in Waterloo Recreation Area off Seymour Road is paved, four lanes, with three piers, a fishing pier and a vault toilet; the beach house rents boats. Jackson County's Portage Lake County Park on Portage Lake Road also has a launch.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.
Nearest lakes
Public land at Portage Lake
Portage Lake is 0.2 miles outside the edge of Waterloo State Recreation Area.
Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.
Common questions
What fish are at Portage Lake?
Fishing Portage Lake usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 10 of 11 plants on record, ahead of Tiger Muskie. Walleye was last stocked October 28, 2025. Tiger Muskie was last stocked September 17, 1980.
When is Portage Lake stocked?
Last stocked October 28, 2025. It is stocked about 0.2 times a year since 1980, most often in May and October. About 180 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 7 lakes in Jackson County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 38 years between 1980 and 2025.
How do you get on Portage Lake?
Facilities include restrooms, dock, and camping. Also called Big Portage Lake. The DNR launch in Waterloo Recreation Area off Seymour Road is paved, four lanes, with three piers, a fishing pier and a vault toilet; the beach house rents boats. Jackson County's Portage Lake County Park on Portage Lake Road also has a launch.
Which lakes near Portage Lake were stocked more recently?
Portage Lake (17.4 mi) was stocked more recently. Portage Lake is also stocked with Tiger Muskie and Walleye.