December 6, 2025 Update

The winter solstice may still be 15 days away, but there's a chill in the air, a bit of snow on the ground, and ice anglers on the lake!

The 2025 Portage Lake Ice-In Date was Nov. 28. Thanks to Paul and Marilyn Peterson for diligently monitoring and reporting our ice dates. See the historical dates online.

A Minnesota DNR AIS Management grant application has been submitted for Portage Lake to treat Curly-Leaf Pondweed. We will hear in January 2026 if we were awarded a grant. 

The association has our ducks (swans? geese?) in a row with PLM to get treatment completed according to schedule. Contributions from property owners are an important part of the treatment funding as a grant (if received) will only cover a fraction of the anticipated $20,000 cost. Please consider contributing (suggested amount of $150/property owner) to what I am calling the "Combat CLP Fund." Additional details are in the attachments.

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far to our membership drive mailing. For those that haven't, here is the information:

2026 Annual Dues

• Amount: $50 per household

• Due Date: February 1, 2026

Please send your payment (checks written out to Portage lake Improvement Association) by the due date to ensure your membership is current. Once your dues are received, you’ll be added to the list to receive next year’s Portage Lake Directory. Your timely support allows us to continue our efforts in water quality protection, invasive species monitoring, community events, and maintaining strong connections with other lake associations and COLA.

This year, payments should be sent to:

Portage Lake Improvement Association

C/O: Kari Smith

20756 Forest Park Dr.

Park Rapids, MN 56470

Due to the busy-ness of this season, we do not have a social event planned for December. We are looking to hold our January event at The Clubhouse. It is a new restaurant going into the space previously known as Silver Star Saloon and Bogie's. We are waiting to hear their official opening date to schedule our outing. 

May your season be Merry and Bright!

Amy Aasen, President

Portage Lake Improvement Association