Has anybody been fishing on Portage or Torch Lakes for smallmouth or walleye this past week, just wondering how its been. I'm going up on June 8th for 4 days. Also can anyone recommend a guide for a couple of days.:antlers:

Sir this use to be a GREAT SECRETE of the U.P. Unfortunately some Illegal Walleye Netting the last 2 or 3 Years has TANKED the Walleye Population. I still have 2 fishing buddies that still live there and they gave me the HONEST TRUTH when I wanted to return this summer. It is a classic lake with classic structure and any decent fisherman can get a LOT of Northerns, some SM and a few EYES. DO NOT WASTE a single $$$ on a guide IMHO. Sorry for not the greatest report, go and have fun and don't waste a dollar for any guide on the Portage.

I agree with huskyguy, save your money. Once you figure out the lake it will make going back a much better experience. It's a great lake. Fished it for 4 years straight while getting my degree and have seen better then average fishing. I haven't been up there for a year or so but will hopefully get a couple days of travel so I can fish it this summer. Don't want to give away my found spots, but you will hear about "the humps". There is alot of fish there, but most people in my opinion are fishing that area way to deep. Find the weeds, combined with drop-offs, and fish the time around sunset hard. That's when most of my eyes were caught. Pike and smallies can be caught in the same areas all day long. Don't be afriad to go shallow (less then 10 ft), and get away from other boats.

Good fishing.

Go to Wal-Mart in Houghton. Go to the Photo Department and ask for "Jim" in his later 60's now he has fished there the 20 years or so. Treat him like you would a Guide except in reverse (your boat an sych with his work schedule) you will get the BEST non advertised GUIDE in town. PS: Make sure to tell him your cooler is full of "ROOTBEER" not beer, I think he like FAGO Brand rootbeer.

This in NOT a joke, just an anonymous ole fishing bud trying to help 2 guys out. Jim is a GREAT GUY.... I kinda miss him :(.