Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County Fishing
Cass County, 1,539 acres, 55 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Leech Lake: Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0
First look at Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
The DNR lists Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County as a lake covering 1,539 acres in Cass County. Soundings put the deepest water at 55 feet, with an average of 16.6 feet. About 47% of the lake, 723 acres, is under 15 feet deep. About 5 miles separate the lake from Bena. Surveys come from the Walker area fisheries office.
DNR surveys have recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Anglers launch from 1 public water access. The newest catch data come from a standard survey on July 19, 2021. Walleye numbers, 14 per gill net, landed above the range the DNR expects (3.3-8.8).
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These rows come from the standard survey on July 19, 2021; the normal range is the DNR range for lakes of the same class.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 168 | 14 | 3.3-8.8 | 1.74 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 8 | 0.67 | 0.2-0.8 | 1.95 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 27 | 2.25 | 2.8-9.0 | 3.21 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.08 | 4.45 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 1,115 | 92.92 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 44 | 3.67 | 0.6-3.5 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 11 | 0.92 | 0.4-2.7 | 0.31 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 29 | 2.42 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.34 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.08 | 0.02 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 37 | 3.08 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.1 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | Standard gill nets | 6 | 0.5 | 0.8-6.2 | 1.08 | 0.6-1.4 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 3 | 0.25 | 0.23 |
Gill net totals, Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
The Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County fishery in the DNR report
“Portage Lake is a 1,539-acre lake with 7.91 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 55 feet located west of Bena, MN.”
“A US Forest Service owned public access is located on the north shore.”
“Portage Lake is in Lake Class 27; lakes in this class are generally large, deep, regularly shaped lakes.”
“Other area lakes in this class include Ada, Crooked, and Webb.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Portage Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Where trailers back down on Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
- Portage Lake Access near Bena1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Tribe
Accesses a short drive from Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
- Lake Winnibigoshish, Richards Townsite AccessWinnibigoshish, 3 miles northeast
- Lake Winnibigoshish, Reese Landing AccessHarry, 4 miles north
- Lower Sucker Lake AccessLower Sucker, 5 miles west
- Lake Winnibigoshish (W) AccessWinnibigoshish, 6 miles north
- Leech Lake, Sucker Bay AccessLeech, 7 miles southwest
- Leech Lake River, Hwy 8 AccessLeech, 8 miles southeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Depth and shape of Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
Since 2007, 1 Secchi readings have been recorded on Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County elevation
The Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County level history is a DNR volunteer gauge series, not a live feed.
DNR lake level record (datum NAVD 88).
Fish on record for Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
Species for Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County come from DNR survey nets, so small or rare fish may be missing.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Bag and size limits on Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
The statewide table below is every limit that applies on Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Map position places Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County in the North-central Zone for pike and bass.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County compared with its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County | 1,539 | 55 | 1 | 14 | |
| Middle Sucker Lake | 5 miles west | 286 | 20 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Upper Sucker Lake | 5 miles west | 113 | 25 | 0 | |
| Lower Sucker Lake | 5 miles west | 592 | 35 | 1 | 8 |
| Lydick Lake | 6 miles northwest | 68 | 20 | 0 | |
| Sugar Lake, Itasca County | 7 miles north | 1,509 | 22 | 0 | 2.5 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Close by Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
Lakes a short haul from Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
- Middle Sucker Lake5 miles west
- Upper Sucker Lake5 miles west
- Lower Sucker Lake5 miles west
- Lydick Lake6 miles northwest
- Sugar Lake, Itasca County7 miles north
Bait counters serving Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
- Winnie Trading Postsporting goods store, Deer River, 15 miles
- New Era Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cass Lake, 16 miles
- City Docksmarina, Cass, 21 miles
- Reeds Family Outdoor Outfitters, 522 Minnesota Avenue Westsporting goods store, Walker, 21 miles
- Shriver's Bait Co.bait and tackle shop, Walker, 21 miles
- Walker Marinemarina, Cass, 21 miles
Places to bunk near Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
- Bena5 miles
- Federal Dam9 miles
- Cass Lake14 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
- Cass Countyseat: Walker
Spinning and baitcasting picks for Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
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Species in the nets at Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
Photo: Rob Foster, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Answers before you launch on Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
Where does Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County sit on a Minnesota map?
The lake point falls in Cass County, managed from the Walker fisheries office, about 5 miles from Bena.
What acreage does LakeFinder give Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County?
1,539 surface acres, 55 feet at the deepest.
Where is the public access on Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County?
The DNR layer lists 1 public access; Portage Lake Access near Bena is a good start.
Is Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County a good panfish lake?
walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and cisco, per DNR surveys.
Is Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County above normal for walleye?
A standard survey on July 19, 2021; walleye ran 14 per gill net.
Is Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County under experimental regulations?
Statewide limits, North-central Zone.
Do I need a Minnesota license for Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County freeze and thaw?
LakeFinder lists 5 feet average clarity.
Where can I buy minnows near Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County?
Closest on our list: Winnie Trading Post, 15 miles.
Hook up the trailer for Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County
The license page lists every Minnesota limit.