Every Boat Ramp on Portage Lake (Manistee)

About Portage Lake (Manistee)

Portage Lake is a 2,305-acre lake in Manistee County connected to Lake Michigan through a navigable channel at the village of Onekama. This direct Great Lakes connection makes Portage Lake a unique inland-coastal hybrid, giving boaters easy access to both calm inland waters and the open waters of Lake Michigan. The lake's relatively warm, productive waters contrast with the cold Lake Michigan waters just a short cruise away.

Walleye are the most sought-after species on Portage Lake, with productive fishing from spring through fall around the lake's varied structure. Yellow perch provide excellent eating-size fish, particularly in late summer and fall. Northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass round out the warm-water fishery. The Lake Michigan channel also brings seasonal runs of salmon and steelhead into the lake, adding big-fish excitement.

The village of Onekama sits at the lake's western end near the Lake Michigan channel, providing a small-town base with basic services, restaurants, and a public beach. Public boat launch facilities are available on the lake, and the channel to Lake Michigan is navigable for most recreational boats. Portage Lake's combination of sheltered inland boating and Great Lakes access makes it an appealing destination for families and anglers who want variety in their boating experience.

Nearest towns: Onekama, Manistee