Waterways
Portage County Lakes

Adams Lake
Nestled in the rolling hills near Amherst lies Adams Lake. On the east end of the lake, the clear water is shallow and weeds emerge from the lake bottom providing refuge for largemouth bass and pan fish. However, the rest of the lake is deep and reaches a maximum depth of 51 feet. Trout roam the open water chasing schools of small bait fish. It has a small boat landing with parking along the road. No shoreline fishing is available, except by the landing.

Collins Lake
Collins Lake offers dark stained water that is not typical of lakes in eastern Portage County. The lake offers abundant northern pike, walleye, bass and pan fish. Collins County Park, along the northern shoreline, offers camping and a swimming beach. A boat landing is adjacent to the campground, featuring a cement landing with a small parking lot.

Lake Emily
Lake Emily is one of Portage County’s largest lakes providing a multitude of recreational activities besides fishing. Lake Emily County Park offers camping, swimming and hiking trails. Shoreline fishing is possible on all of the park shoreline (eastern half) and
a well-maintained boat launch is available, with ample
parking. Fisherman can expect to find northern pike, bass,
walleye and pan fish.

Jordan Pond
Jordan Pond is a small man-made lake, which was made by damming the Plover River. It contains largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern and pan fish. The lake is located approximately two miles east of Stevens Point on Highway 66. There is a small boat landing and camping is available. Shoreline fishing is allowed.

McDill Pond
McDill Pond was formed in 1853 when the Plover River was first dammed for logging purposes, and expanded in the 1950’s to its current size when the dam was taken over by the Village of Whiting. Today, McDill Pond spans 262 acres and includes several channels and islands, with a maximum depth of 18 feet. Surrounding McDill Pond is Kocziczikowski Park and the Godfree & Maybelle Erickson Audubon Park which is home to abundant wildlife and rare birds in their natural undisturbed habitat. 

McDill will be drawndown from October 2008 – April 2009, to combat Eurasian Milfoil. Water levels will be restored in May 2009, and fishing will re-open on July 1, 2009.

Sunset Lake
Sunset Lake is one of the most popular swimming beaches in Portage County. Adjacent to the popular swimming beach is a well-maintained boat landing with a small parking lot. Shoreline fishing is available at the county park, but small fishing boats and canoes are the best way to fish the lake. Bass, pan fish and trout are available.

Lake Thomas
This 42 acre lake lies at the bottom of a glacial depression in the landscape just off Lake Thomas Road. A boat landing is available, but is steep and consists of gravel. Lily pads surround a good portion of the lake providing a summer home for large mouth bass and pan fish. Rainbow trout also roam the water. Shoreline fishing is only available near the boat landing on the south side of the lake.

Rivers 

Wisconsin River*
The Wisconsin River takes on many different shapes and forms as it flows through Portage County, giving a variety of recreational uses. Dams on the Wisconsin River create large flowages like Lake DuBay and the Stevens Point Flowage. The Wisconsin River in Portage County is home to many species of wildlife, such as Eagles, Osprey, Deer, Wild Turkeys, Blue Herons and a wide variety of water fowl. For fishing, most species are scattered. To be successful in the warmer months, it is best to drift, slip or troll to find small pods of feeding fish. Productive areas include: rocky/gravel flats, stump fields adjacent to the channel, subtle eddies, shoreline wood and deeper holes in the 8-15 foot range.

*Water levels on the Wisconsin River can fluctuate quickly, resulting in changing and dangerous conditions. Call 800-775-6404 for water conditions. Please use extreme caution.

The Biron Flowage
This Wisconsin River impoundment covers 2,078 acres and is located between Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids. Flowage depth averages 8-10 feet with the deepest area running about 26 feet. The Biron Flowage offers quality musky fishing as well as small mouth bass, walleyes and catfish. There are three boat landings available for the Biron Flowage, but the best landing is located in Plover at Galecke Park. It has two ramps and ample parking.

Lake DuBay
Lake DuBay is a 6,380-acre impoundment of the Wisconsin River. It was formed in 1942 and is located about 10 miles north of Stevens Point, just west along Highway 51. The lake has a mostly sand bottom along the shoreline timber and many stumps. Several inlet streams combined with large backwater areas, shallow bays and several islands provide a diverse habitat for fish. Walleyes are by far the most popular species, however small mouth bass, northern pike, catfish and muskies are also available. Several boat landings are available, including one off of Highway DB on Park Road as well as the boat landing available at Lake DuBay County Campground.

The River In-Between
There is a short stretch of the Wisconsin River nestled between the Stevens Point and Whiting Paper mills. Paralled by West River Drive, it is probably the most scenic part of the Wisconsin River. Small mouth bass, musky and walleye are the main species of fish. Special care must be taken when navigating this section, due to rocky sections with granite outcrops along the shoreline. A small boat landing is available off of West River Drive, just south of the County Road HH bridge.

The Stevens Point Flowage
The Stevens Point Flowage is located between Lake DuBay and the city of Stevens Point. Offering over 3,900 acres of prime fishing water, with a sand/gravel bottom. Muskies and walleyes are available as well as channel catfish, northern pike and bluegills. The best access to the Stevens Point Flowage is available at the Bukolt Park boat landing.