How to Fish Portage Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Portage Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Jun 21, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Portage Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Bass are transitioning to pre-spawn patterns, moving from winter depths to staging areas near spawning flats, becoming more active with warming temperatures Fish are feeding more aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly during warmer portions of the day	Docks adjacent to spawning flats, particularly those with deeper water access Secondary points leading into potential spawning bays Shallow woody cover in 3-8 feet of water that provides warming opportunities	Wacky Rigs worked slowly around docks and cover Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover Ned Rigs for more finesse approach in clearer water	Bluegill staging in similar pre-spawn areas Juvenile perch in slightly deeper water Smaller baitfish moving shallow with warming water	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn to spawning phase, actively moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow staging areas near potential spawning flats Fish are becoming increasingly aggressive and territorial as water temperatures rise, with males beginning to scout and prepare spawning areas Feeding activity is heightened during this transition period, with bass targeting bluegill around dock areas	Docks in 4-8 foot depth range, especially those near potential spawning flats Shallow flats with firm bottom adjacent to deeper water Protected shoreline areas with emerging vegetation	Wacky Rigs worked slowly around dock posts and edges Soft Jerkbaits with twitching retrieve near shallow cover Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting under and around docks	Bluegill concentrating around dock areas Small baitfish moving shallow with warming water	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed more aggressively, transitioning between spawning flats and early summer locations Fish are moving between shallow and mid-depth areas, often relating to the first break line off spawning flats	Docks and adjacent deeper water, especially those near spawning flats Weedline edges forming in 8-12 foot depth range Hard bottom areas adjacent to spawning bays	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along transitions Spinnerbaits parallel to developing weed edges Wacky Rigs around dock posts and shallow cover	Bluegill gathering in early weed growth Small baitfish schools moving shallow Emerging crayfish in rocky areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Natural Craw Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	68-82	Bass are establishing summer patterns with early morning/late evening shallow feeding activities and midday movements to deeper structure Fish are actively feeding on bluegill around vegetation and woody cover, with increased activity during low light periods	Deep dock edges adjacent to vegetation (15-17 feet) Isolated wood cover near shoreline transitions (8-12 feet) Deeper weedlines where present (12-15 feet)	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and wood cover Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) along deeper structure Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) during low light periods	Bluegill in and around vegetation and dock areas Young of year baitfish beginning to school	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Portage Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Actively feeding on baitfish and transitioning toward deeper water structures as temperatures cool Following schools of bluegill and other forage fish, with increased feeding activity during low-light periods	Deep weedline edges transitioning to rock or wood structure Isolated docks with deep water access Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to deep weedlines Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points and breaks Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish	Bluegill concentrating near remaining vegetation Young-of-year baitfish schooling in deeper water	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Portage Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks adjacent to spawning flats, particularly those with deeper water access	Secondary points leading into potential spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks in 4-8 foot depth range, especially those near potential spawning flats	Shallow flats with firm bottom adjacent to deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks and adjacent deeper water, especially those near spawning flats	Weedline edges forming in 8-12 foot depth range
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep dock edges adjacent to vegetation (15-17 feet)	Isolated wood cover near shoreline transitions (8-12 feet)
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weedline edges transitioning to rock or wood structure	Isolated docks with deep water access

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill staging in similar pre-spawn areas	Juvenile perch in slightly deeper water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating around dock areas	Small baitfish moving shallow with warming water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill gathering in early weed growth	Small baitfish schools moving shallow
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in and around vegetation and dock areas	Young of year baitfish beginning to school
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating near remaining vegetation	Young-of-year baitfish schooling in deeper water

Bait Colors by Season for Portage Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Green Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Natural Craw Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors Dark Neutrals

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