Portage Lake fishing

Portage Lake fishing is stocked with Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Brown Trout, and Walleye on a natural lake. Also recorded: Yellow perch, Bluegill, Rock bass, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike, and 7 more. It is stocked about 2.6 times a year since 1979, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout, Yellow perch, and Bluegill, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, Rock bass, and Black crappie, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth bass and Smallmouth bass.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
June 2, 2026
· Walleye
Plants on record
123
Since 1979
Species stocked
4 (+13 also recorded)
Surface acres
2,116.2

Fish at Portage Lake

4 stocked · 13 confirmed present

Brown Trout Stocked · 37 plants · last April 2, 2010 Best: dawn, day, dusk

Last stocked April 2, 2010 · 37 plants

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Brown Trout species guide
Walleye Stocked · 18 plants · last June 2, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked June 2, 2026 · 18 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide

How Portage Lake is stocked

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

About 2,241 reported fish per acre, the most of 5 lakes in Manistee County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish stocked in 1979

200,000

Fish stocked in 1980

265,454

Fish stocked in 1981

190,013

Fish stocked in 1982

146,128

Fish stocked in 1983

130,000

Fish stocked in 1984

152,010

Fish stocked in 1985

99,260

Fish stocked in 1986

85,007

Fish stocked in 1987

139,947

Fish stocked in 1988

120,009

Fish stocked in 1989

142,312

Fish stocked in 1990

129,550

Fish stocked in 1991

127,140

Fish stocked in 1992

140,062

Fish stocked in 1993

132,420

Fish stocked in 1994

87,494

Fish stocked in 1995

113,310

Fish stocked in 1996

145,593

Fish stocked in 1997

127,925

Fish stocked in 1998

14,550

Fish stocked in 1999

119,704

Fish stocked in 2000

123,845

Fish stocked in 2001

117,015

Fish stocked in 2002

115,015

Fish stocked in 2003

116,589

Fish stocked in 2004

117,646

Fish stocked in 2005

171,228

Fish stocked in 2006

126,968

Fish stocked in 2007

13,795

Fish stocked in 2008

81,942

Fish stocked in 2009

81,456

Fish stocked in 2010

99,777

Fish stocked in 2011

44,664

Fish stocked in 2012

110,337

Fish stocked in 2013

36,870

Fish stocked in 2014

52,144

Fish stocked in 2015

84,060

Fish stocked in 2016

50,000

Fish stocked in 2017

52,920

Fish stocked in 2018

54,394

Fish stocked in 2019

51,929

Fish stocked in 2021

59,455

Fish stocked in 2023

53,150

Fish stocked in 2025

54,708

Fish stocked in 2026

65,283

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 2, 2026Walleye65,283–report
June 25, 2025Walleye54,708–report
June 6, 2023Walleye53,150–report
June 3, 2021Walleye59,455–report
June 18, 2019Walleye17,605–report
June 14, 2019Walleye34,324–report
June 21, 2018Walleye54,394–report
May 31, 2017Walleye52,920–report
April 28, 2016Coho Salmon50,000–report
June 2, 2015Walleye52,271–report
April 16, 2015Coho Salmon10,235–report
April 16, 2015Coho Salmon21,554–report
April 23, 2014Coho Salmon26,072–report
April 23, 2014Coho Salmon26,072–report
April 9, 2013Coho Salmon36,870–report
June 12, 2012Walleye55,437–report
April 6, 2012Coho Salmon54,900–report
April 13, 2011Coho Salmon44,664–report
June 17, 2010Walleye30,293–report
June 17, 2010Walleye3,492–report
April 7, 2010Coho Salmon25,496–report
April 6, 2010Coho Salmon25,497–report
April 2, 2010Brown Trout7,500–report
April 2, 2010Brown Trout7,499–report
July 14, 2009Walleye61,457–report
April 1, 2009Brown Trout19,999–report
June 25, 2008Walleye64,331–report
June 12, 2008Brown Trout1,561–report
April 9, 2008Brown Trout16,050–report
March 30, 2007Brown Trout13,795–report
June 6, 2006Walleye30,434–report
June 6, 2006Walleye27,359–report
April 5, 2006Coho Salmon24,994–report
April 5, 2006Coho Salmon24,991–report
March 30, 2006Brown Trout19,190–report
June 8, 2005Walleye64,676–report
May 13, 2005Chinook Salmon13,538–report
May 13, 2005Chinook Salmon35,717–report
April 21, 2005Brown Trout16,000–report
April 4, 2005Coho Salmon16,866–report
April 4, 2005Coho Salmon24,431–report
June 9, 2004Walleye53,636–report
May 21, 2004Chinook Salmon49,013–report
April 1, 2004Brown Trout14,997–report
May 22, 2003Chinook Salmon49,110–report
May 6, 2003Brown Trout4,998–report
April 18, 2003Brown Trout5,000–report
April 17, 2003Coho Salmon23,493–report
April 17, 2003Coho Salmon23,494–report
April 15, 2003Brown Trout10,494–report
May 22, 2002Chinook Salmon50,600–report
April 25, 2002Brown Trout1,520–report
April 24, 2002Brown Trout13,500–report
April 12, 2002Coho Salmon49,395–report
May 17, 2001Chinook Salmon49,245–report
May 4, 2001Brown Trout12,691–report
April 27, 2001Coho Salmon55,079–report
May 12, 2000Chinook Salmon49,245–report
April 21, 2000Brown Trout19,600–report
April 10, 2000Coho Salmon55,000–report
May 19, 1999Chinook Salmon49,704–report
May 11, 1999Coho Salmon27,553–report
May 11, 1999Coho Salmon27,447–report
April 23, 1999Brown Trout15,000–report
May 14, 1998Brown Trout14,550–report
June 6, 1997Chinook Salmon64,390–report
May 21, 1997Brown Trout13,495–report
April 29, 1997Coho Salmon50,040–report
June 7, 1996Chinook Salmon82,805–report
June 4, 1996Brown Trout12,780–report
May 13, 1996Coho Salmon50,008–report
June 2, 1995Chinook Salmon100,010–report
May 9, 1995Brown Trout13,300–report
May 27, 1994Chinook Salmon72,594–report
May 16, 1994Brown Trout14,900–report
May 28, 1993Chinook Salmon18,928–report
May 28, 1993Chinook Salmon48,572–report
May 18, 1993Brown Trout14,900–report
May 6, 1993Coho Salmon50,020–report
May 28, 1992Chinook Salmon75,023–report
May 5, 1992Coho Salmon50,339–report
April 29, 1992Brown Trout14,700–report
May 3, 1991Chinook Salmon62,937–report
April 22, 1991Brown Trout14,700–report
April 17, 1991Coho Salmon49,503–report
May 18, 1990Chinook Salmon82,543–report
April 19, 1990Coho Salmon12,233–report
April 16, 1990Coho Salmon19,774–report
April 9, 1990Brown Trout15,000–report
May 19, 1989Chinook Salmon77,290–report
April 21, 1989Brown Trout15,000–report
April 14, 1989Coho Salmon24,816–report
April 13, 1989Coho Salmon25,206–report
May 17, 1988Chinook Salmon55,000–report
April 15, 1988Coho Salmon50,009–report
April 1, 1988Brown Trout15,000–report
October 6, 1987Brown Trout9,240–report
May 21, 1987Chinook Salmon78,896–report
April 28, 1987Coho Salmon41,811–report
April 9, 1987Brown Trout10,000–report
May 29, 1986Chinook Salmon75,007–report
March 27, 1986Brown Trout10,000–report
September 19, 1985Brown Trout15,000–report
May 21, 1985Chinook Salmon20,998–report
May 21, 1985Chinook Salmon54,002–report
April 25, 1985Brown Trout9,260–report
September 10, 1984Brown Trout17,000–report
May 23, 1984Chinook Salmon125,010–report
April 20, 1984Brown Trout10,000–report
October 10, 1983Brown Trout20,000–report
May 17, 1983Chinook Salmon100,000–report
April 26, 1983Brown Trout10,000–report
May 24, 1982Chinook Salmon100,768–report
May 13, 1982Coho Salmon45,360–report
May 27, 1981Chinook Salmon28,405–report
May 27, 1981Chinook Salmon71,595–report
April 21, 1981Coho Salmon20,007–report
April 21, 1981Coho Salmon70,006–report
June 3, 1980Chinook Salmon100,164–report
April 29, 1980Coho Salmon90,267–report
April 29, 1980Coho Salmon75,023–report
May 24, 1979Chinook Salmon50,000–report
April 24, 1979Coho Salmon150,000–report

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Onekama, MI
Facilities
restrooms, dock

Two public launches: the DNR ramp in the northwest corner (two lanes, pier, carry-down dock, vault toilet) and the Village of Onekama park launch on the north side, which has a universally accessible fishing pier. A channel connects the lake to Lake Michigan.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

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Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.

Nearest lakes

Bear Lake 6.2 mi last stocked June 30, 2026 Arcadia Lake 8.5 mi last stocked April 4, 2017 Upper Herring Lake 13.9 mi last stocked June 25, 2025 Lower Herring Lake 14 mi last stocked June 25, 2025 Tippy Dam Pond 16 mi last stocked June 18, 2024

Common questions

What fish are at Portage Lake?

Fishing Portage Lake usually means Coho Salmon: Coho Salmon accounts for 38 of 123 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and 2 more. Coho Salmon was last stocked April 28, 2016. Brown Trout was last stocked April 2, 2010. Chinook Salmon was last stocked May 13, 2005. Walleye was last stocked June 2, 2026. Yellow perch, Bluegill, Rock bass, and Largemouth bass, plus 9 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Portage Lake stocked?

Last stocked June 2, 2026. It is stocked about 2.6 times a year since 1979, most often in April and May. About 2,241 reported fish per acre, the most of 5 lakes in Manistee County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2020, 2022, and 2024.

How do you get on Portage Lake?

The nearest town is Onekama, MI. Facilities include restrooms and dock. Two public launches: the DNR ramp in the northwest corner (two lanes, pier, carry-down dock, vault toilet) and the Village of Onekama park launch on the north side, which has a universally accessible fishing pier. A channel connects the lake to Lake Michigan.

Which lakes near Portage Lake were stocked more recently?

Bear Lake (6.2 mi) was stocked more recently. Bear Lake is also stocked with Walleye.

Sources (5) +