Portage Lake (St. Joseph County)
Portage Lake is a natural lake near Mendon in St. Joseph County, fed and drained by the Portage River. It is known for bluegill, yellow perch and black crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Smallmouth Bass
Few caught in the DNR survey.
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- State public boat launchRampOn the southwest side of the lake. Parking for about 30 vehicles with trailers.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Portage Lake (St. Joseph County) are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Portage Lake (St. Joseph County) ↗Local tips
- Panfish were the bulk of the DNR survey catch, so small jigs and worms work well.
- About 46 percent of the shore has homes, so look for docks and weed edges.
- Reported maximum depth varies from 37 to 60 feet, so check your sonar.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.