Portage Lake

[Jig_Head]

Was thinking about making a trip here, never been before. Anybody have ice conditions or tips theyre willing to share? Looking for perch. Any help would be appreciated. PMs welcome, thanks

[swampbuckster]

Which one of 300?

[Fishurman63]

my thoughts exactly..... In Waterloo, Onekama?

[rteague982]

Also would like to know about portage in
Onakema! How's the perch bite and snow and slush
On the ice

[Jig_Head]

Sorry the one in Onekema. Northwest michigan

[giller]

Crappiehunter, I'm from NW Ind too. Heading up that way Tuesday morning. Might try Manistee lake too. Maybe we can share some info!

[lakeeffect]

Just came off the ice about 1 hour ago. Found a good 8" of ice as far west as the 50' FOW out in the center of the lake. I was told there was as little as 4" out by the outlet, I didn't go that far west. About 4" to 5" of snow on the lake. The dink perch are taking over had to do a lot of sorting. Quads and sleds are running all over the lake. Going back out tomorrow morning. Lakeeffect

[giller]

Thanks Lakeeffect

[rteague982]

Thanks for the report think I might give her a try
Friday morning. Never fished here before how far
Of a walk out to the deep water? My fishing buddy
Is a real big guy so long distance walks are not in his play
Book lol should I bring a snowmibile? But would rather not with
The price of gas coming from Gaylord but if I had too I would. We will
Be targeting perch and tip ups for what ever bites. Where would the best
Place to get on at and shortest walking distence to good perch grounds

[Threefish]

I would bring the snowmobile. If you want to fish the deeper water its a half mile walk and there is 5" of snow on the ice with more coming. The snowmobile will make moving around easier and hauling gear a lot easier. The access in town is the best to put in. Good Luck!!

[Jig_Head]

Crappiehunter, I'm from NW Ind too. Heading up that way Tuesday morning. Might try Manistee lake too. Maybe we can share some info!

Awesome! Yeah thatd be great. I dont have a snowmobile or quad so id also need a spot with a short walking distance. Thanks for all the help guys!

[lakeeffect]

I came off at noon. Caught a few good perch. I was in 18' FOW and its about 200 yards off Portage Point road. They let you park along the side of the road. Park where the cars are. If you want to fish the center of the lake the 50' depth it's about a good 1/2 mile out there or if you park at the boat launch in town its a good mile and a half. They got an additional 4" to 5" last night and it was still coming down hard when I left the lake. I will be going back up this next week end. Lakeeffect

[Tree Toad]

This is a cut and paste from the Pilgrim Village fishing report I received today (2-3-13)
Dan Osborn from Osborn’s Bait in Bear Lake called today and said they are having one of the best perch bites in years on Portage Lake with limit catches and many are saying they are running 10 to 12 inches. They are running quads and snowmobiles on the lake and perch are from Onekema to the channel in 25 foot of water. Pike and walleye fishing has been good also.

[Jig_Head]

Ok so it is deeper water fishing then? 18 to 25 foot? I wasnt sure if it was like Saginaw Bay fishing or not. I went there last year and was sight fishing 3 to 4ft of water

[Threefish]

lakeeffect  is right on. Its a accurate report I have four buddys fish it everyday or when weather permits and they all say the same thing.

[rteague982]

I seen on the lake map there is a launch
On the far NW side of the lake I think it is a park
How is the ice over there and it looks like a closer walk to
The deeper water any info on this side of the lake

[terry fish]

Fished there on sat for the whole day, launched from the city park in town on the north east end of the lake.  started shallow in 7ft water, saw a large northern and some small perch.  Form there i walked out to 21ft of water using the trails others had made with their machines, it was probably about a 1/2 mile walk or so.  The bite was slow unless ya like 3 inchers, then at night fall I picked up 4-10in perch in 15min then it was over, I stayed out till after 7 jigging for walleye with no success. I was told be an in-law relative of mine who lives up there and fishes it quite often that I needed to get into 40 to 50 ft of water for the good perch but the walk was too far with all my gear. Hope this helps, good luck and post back how ya did.   

[hoody25]

Looking for some more info on this lake making the trip next weekend
Pm welcome

[Fishurman63]

If you go in at the city park launch stay to the right and go just a couple hundered yards there starts a nice weed bed and it actually runs over to the point.

[hoody25]

That's a start thanks for the info, I have never been on the lake before

[Fishurman63]

I was on a pike tournament there in 2010 I think it was and we came in third 3rd.  We found our biggest pike in the weed beds over by where the catamaran is anchored...but that won't help you today   A really nice weed bed tho if you stay on the north side before the point. 

[waterwolf42]

I live right in town and fish the lake often....if anyone wants info, pm me and I will be more than happy to give you detailed info about any fish species in the lake.  Been fishing the lake for over 30 years.

[lakeeffect]

Water Wolf, how did it go today. I was out at 7:30 and left the ice at almost 4pm. We didn't do real good only had about 3 that were over 10", the remainder were all in the 8" to 9" range and they were few and far between. Caught enough little ones that we could have put them end to end and reached shore. Set up in the 18' FOW off Portage point road near Little Eden. It has started to get slushy in spots. It will be 3 weeks before I get back up, sure hope the ice holds out. Lakeeffect

[waterwolf42]

Water Wolf, how did it go today. I was out at 7:30 and left the ice at almost 4pm. We didn't do real good only had about 3 that were over 10", the remainder were all in the 8" to 9" range and they were few and far between. Caught enough little ones that we could have put them end to end and reached shore. Set up in the 18' FOW off Portage point road near Little Eden. It has started to get slushy in spots. It will be 3 weeks before I get back up, sure hope the ice holds out. Lakeeffect

I actually stayed away from Portage this weekend.....looked like there was a lot of traffic and fishermen out there.  I hit Bear Lake and took a few pike there, then headed up to Crystal Lake and fished perch and whitefish.  The perch was few and far between in the area I was fishing as well, but did manage to get about a dozen from 8 to 10 inches, with one 13.  My lantern quit on me so I was not able to stay too long for the whitefish bite, but did get 2 before dark. 

[rteague982]

I never made it over there last Friday but I have all next
Week off work and would like to spend a few days fishing
The lake is there any motel or hotel on the lake with lake access
Right from the door with snowmobile or would I have to trailer over
To the launch every day

[waterwolf42]

I never made it over there last Friday but I have all next
Week off work and would like to spend a few days fishing
The lake is there any motel or hotel on the lake with lake access
Right from the door with snowmobile or would I have to trailer over
To the launch every day

There is nothing right on the lake.  The few hotels in the area are off the water.  You will have to trailer your sled and gear. 

[ICEPERCH24]

Anybody know how the ice held up and if its still good to run a sled on? Heading up Saturday and any help would be great. Thanks in advance 

[Threefish]

Anybody know how the ice held up and if its still good to run a sled on? Heading up Saturday and any help would be great. Thanks in advance 

There still running sleds and quads on the ice.

[ICEPERCH24]

Thanks threefish for the help.

[waterwolf42]

There is a local tournament going on this weekend, so it may be crowded out there.....just fyi