When Does Portage Lake Freeze? Typical Ice-In Nov 30, Ice-Out Apr 27
Portage Lake in Cass County, Minnesota usually freezes over around Nov 30, and usually has ice-out around Apr 27, based on Minnesota DNR ice observations recorded between 2002-2007. That works out to roughly 217 days of open water a year. These are typical dates across many winters, not a forecast — individual years swing by weeks in either direction.
Ice record for Portage Lake
| Typical freeze-up (ice-in) | Nov 30 |
| Typical ice-out | Apr 27 |
| Earliest freeze-up on record | Nov 24, 2002 |
| Latest freeze-up on record | Dec 14, 2004 |
| Earliest ice-out on record | Apr 21, 2007 |
| Latest ice-out on record | May 19, 2004 |
| Open-water season | ~217 days |
| Winters observed | 12 |
| Location | Cass County, Minnesota |
These are dates, not an ice-safety reading
A typical freeze-up date tells you when Portage Lake has usually iced over — it does not tell you the ice is safe, and we hold no thickness measurement for this or any lake. The Minnesota DNR is explicit that no ice is ever completely safe: thickness varies across a single lake, and current, springs, aerators, and insulating snow all weaken it. Ice that held a truck last week may not hold a person today.
Read the ice-thickness guidelines before going out, and check current conditions with the Minnesota DNR ice-safety page and local bait shops, which track conditions lake by lake.
How much the timing varies
Ice-out on Portage Lake has landed as early as Apr 21, 2007 and as late as May 19, 2004 — a spread of weeks around the Apr 27 median. Freeze-up has ranged from Nov 24, 2002 to Dec 14, 2004. That year-to-year swing is why a median date is a planning tool, not a schedule. Freeze-up is driven by accumulated cold after the lake turns over in fall; ice-out by late-winter air temperature, sun angle, and how much snow sits on top of the ice reflecting it. The full nutrient and algae breakdown for Portage Lake is on the lake report.
Source: Minnesota DNR Climate Office ice-in / ice-out records, observations from 2002-2007.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Portage Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Portage Lake in Cass County, Minnesota. Live availability and prices for your nights. Switch the map to Satellite to see how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Portage Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Portage Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Portage Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Watch Portage Lake water quality
Get an email when the clarity or algae readings change. Unsubscribe anytime.