|
PORTAGE LAKE
At our press time, the Army Corps of Engineers is rebuilding the North and South Breakwaters with new structures and has scheduled replacement of the seawalls connecting them to Portage Lake.
North Breakwater
Description
The new barrier-free structure is more than 1,300 feet long and contains three sections. The first section is 206 feet long and 38 feet wide, and the second portion is 726 feet long and 28 feet wide. Both are constructed of steel sheet piling. The 400-foot-long outer section is of rubble mound construction.
Access
Anglers must walk 1/4 mile over sand from the parking lot.
Amenities
The lot is paved and has parking for about 12 vehicles. There are no facilities.
South Breakwater
Description
The new barrier-free structure of steel sheet piling is about 900 feet long. The outer section is 200 feet long and 38 feet wide; the inner portion is 700 feet long and 32 feet wide.
Access
Anglers walk 1/4 mile from the parking area on a cement walk that ends about 50 feet from the seawall. This final stretch is over sand and rubble and is currently not accessible to disabled anglers. The cement cap on the present seawall that leads to the breakwater is only 22 inches wide.
Amenities
The grass parking area can hold about 15 vehicles. There are no facilities.
A DNR boat launch, with a toilet that is not barrier-free, is located on the northwest side of Portage Lake between Onekama and the North Breakwater.
What's Hot?
- Brown Trout
- Chinook Salmon
- Coho Salmon
- Freshwater Drum (sheephead)
- Northern Pike
- Steelhead
- Walleye
- Yellow Perch
Spring anglers catch brown trout and both coho and chinook salmon. This fishery lasts well into June when anglers take occasional yellow perch, walleye, freshwater drum, and northern pike. Salmon return from early August through mid September, followed by a few browns and steelhead as late as Thanksgiving Day.
Tactics
For spring trout and salmon, cast Countdown Rap-alas in rainbow-trout or blue-and-silver colors, or spot spawn sacs just off bottom, both in the channel and off the breakwaters. For fall browns and steelhead, go solely with fresh salmon spawn. Walleye and perch will take a leech or small minnow actively jigged or drifted on a slip bobber. For summer salmon, cast big wobbling plugs or heavy spoons in bright or glow colors and vary retrieves. For bait, tackle, and fishing information, contact the Portage Lake Marina, 159 Main St. (231-889-3825). The Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce is at 50 Filer St., Ste. 224 in Manistee (231-723-2575).
Stocking
The DNR annually stocks Portage Lake with an average of 50,000 coho yearlings and 50,000 to 100,000 chinook fingerlings. Managers also release 15,000 brown trout yearlings and about 50,000 walleye fingerlings.
Additional Information
At our press time, the Army Corps of Engineers is rebuilding the North and South Breakwaters with new structures and has scheduled replacement of the seawalls connecting them to Portage Lake.
Area Accommodations
Camping is available about 6 miles away at Orchard Beach State Park, 3 miles north of Manistee on Lake St. (231-723-7422).
Map of Access Area & Driving Directions
|
|
|
North Breakwater
Take M-22 west 3/4 mile from Onekama to Portage Lake Dr. and continue 2.7 miles to Second St. Turn right to the parking lot.
Anglers must walk 1/4 mile over sand from the parking lot.
South Breakwater
Take M-22 south 2 miles from Onekama to Crescent Beach Rd. and follow it 1.5 miles to the end.
Anglers walk 1/4 mile from the parking area on a cement walk that ends about 50 feet from the seawall. This final stretch is over sand and rubble and is currently not accessible to disabled anglers. The cement cap on the present seawall that leads to the breakwater is only 22 inches wide.
|
|
