Portage Lake
Manistee County, WisconsinLimited DataMesotrophic
Portage Lake is a mesotrophic lake in Manistee County, MI. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Lake herring. Compared to the 11 other monitored lakes in Manistee County, Portage Lake ranks #9 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, local state DNR records, last sampled 2022-09-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 10 ft. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Portage Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Portage Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Portage Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #9 of 12 lakes in Manistee County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Portage Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Manistee County
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Lapeer County · Clarity: 9.5 ft
Livingston County · Clarity: 13 ft
Lake County · Clarity: 14 ft
Cass County · Clarity: 10.5 ft
Genesee County · Clarity: 10 ft
Lake County · Clarity: 8 ft
Mesotrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
EPA Impairment Status
Portage Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601040405-02 · Official waterbody report
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-11
Monitoring stations: 1