Little Portage Lake - Land O' Lakes Wisconsin
Fishing Hot spots & Information
Spring Crappie action on Little Portage Lake
Little Portage Lake is located just south of Land O' Lakes
Wisconsin on the west edge of town. While a large percentage of the shoreline belongs to private ownership, there
are two public access sites providing dedicated fisherman access to what is best described as a miniature Lac Vieux
Desert. Those familiar with that famous body of water are also likely to know the advantages and disadvantages
inherent to a highly fertile aquatic ecosystem.
Little Portage Lake, just as Lac Vieux Desert, is capable of supporting a abundant high-level predator, game fish population. There are numerous trophy-size musky and walleye present in both lakes. Both lakes also support larger than average northern pike. Both have an abundance of crappie, perch and schooling forage fish.
It is the abundance of forage fish and lower-level food chain pan fish, that makes trophy hunting so challenging. Make no mistake, the big musky and walleye are there. The hard part is, with the abundant forage, enticing a strike from a gorged musky or walleye can be true test of presentation.
Spring Crappie action on Little Portage Lake
Little Portage Lake offers some of the hottest spring crappie action to be found in the north. Access is limited to the totally committed crappie fisherman however as there exist only two public access sites. Both, however are drag-down, launch from the shoreline affairs that do provide means of access, but do require a bit of devotion and determination of prospective fisherman. Who is it who said "Getting there is half the fun?"
Little Portage Lake Boat Landings
Neither of the two available launch sites are "trailer friendly," both are more suited to small rowboats or canoes. The easiest to find is the launch point located at the culvert where Little Portage creek crosses under Little Portage Lake Road as it flows to join the still stream-like Wisconsin River. The landing is directly adjacent to Little Portage Lake Road and located approximately 3 miles south of Vilas County Highway B and just north of the intersections of Big Portage Lake Road and…Big Portage Lake Road. Go figure!
There is room enough at the culvert to drag a small rowboat or canoe down to the shoreline and depending on the season and rainfall, it's even possible to back a trailer down through the soft sand, to the water. Take care though, this is only advisable for those possessing a good 4x4 and a strong stomach. While the ground may appear firm, it is composed of some of the area's finest sugar-sand. The incline makes this yet more challenging. Even after launching there are obstructions in the widening creek, soon to be flowage.
The rewards for the brave are there to be had however as some of the best spring crappie action can be found in and around the mouth of the flowage just before in enters into Little Portage Lake proper. Large Mouth Bass in the four to five pound class are also common in the flowage. Especially during early summer months.
A Boat Landing with a serious Altitude Problem!
The public access site off of Little Portage Lake's Boat Landing Road might give you nosebleeds with its serious altitude problem. This is definitely a "drag your boat to the water" landing. It does however offer good parking and loads of privacy. And, since this access leads directly into the lake itself, the potential difficulties of shallow water and obstructions that may be encountered at the flowage landing, are avoided.
Once you get your craft down to the shore, the Boat Landing Road access point allows fisherman to get right to the heart of the matter, catching plentiful slab crappies! The shoreline directly to the south (left if facing the water) is lined with plentiful reed beds that extend well out into the lake. During early spring, crappies hold close to the reeds while preparing to spawn. Later, this same structure will be rife with nice sized bluegill and sunfish.
At times, the action can be so fast, that the only practical bait would be small twister tail jigs or traditional pinkies. On more than a few occasions I got the best of my fishing companions as I caught fish after fish while they were frantically trying to rebait their hooks and adjust their slip bobbers. When the action is hot, nothing beats a good twister tail presentation. Reel 'em in, take 'em off, catch another. Simple as that!
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