Portage Lakes

Lakes Near Portage

It’s summertime so it’s time to start planning your upcoming family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Portage. A lake vacation can be wonderful for those who love wildlife too, because they offer opportunities to take in the local scenery and all that nature has to offer.

It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking to paddleboard, buzz around doing watersports, swim, or work on your tan, the lakes near Portage offer you numerous beautiful locations for outdoor adventures. So what are you waiting for? Pack up your vehicle with your beach goodies and a picnic basket then set out this weekend to find a brand new favorite location on a lake!

Lakes Near Portage

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

When you visit a lake near Portage you’ll find all kinds of things to do for families and couples. You could go for an exciting day trip or make it a long weekend to a hotel or a bed and breakfast on the water to enjoy yourself more fully.

Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you visit a lake near Portage:

Partake in some water sports. Should you be able to get access to a fast boat, why not spend the day flying around the water demonstrating your athleticism and water sports skills? Hit the water and go wakeboarding or knee boarding as the lakes near Portage give you several options.

Start paddling. If you want a little physical activity, pack up your board of choice and chart your course to a lake that has a boat launch and get out and enjoy nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Catch some fish. For those that love to fish, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re roaming the lake in a killer fishing boat or tossing a line in from the dock.

Lake Checklist

Everyone’s beach getaway will be unique based on which lake you go to, what time of year it is, what your goals are for the getaway. For your benefit, we took the time to make a list with some of our favorite ideas for your lake getaway to ensure nothing gets forgotten!

The basics

For a day spent on the water you will likely need to take some of the things in our list below to make sure you’re safe, comfortable, and relaxed.

  • A blanket or sheet
  • A cooler and drinks
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Sunblock
  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Tennis shoes
  • Bathing suits

Additional lake gear

Take into consideration what you’ll be doing when at the water and what your party looks like, the list of gear might also prove useful and worth a quick spot check before you get on the road.

  • Rafts for the kids
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Your tackle box
  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Bait
  • Wine key
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing

Lake Safety

While the water can provide fun during a day on the lake, failing to follow some simple safety rules can make things turn tragic in a hurry. These safety tips will make sure that you and your family stays safe on the water.

  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over

More Ideas for Lake Fun

When you make a trip to the one of a kind lakes around Portage, there are a few things that might make your trip plan far more successful. Case in point, each individual lake near Portage is going to have unique environment so it’s important to consider what you need to make an enjoyable adventure when planning yours.

  1. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas where you can rent a boat. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or a day of watersports. Using a search engine can typically allow you to find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
  2. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes beaches may be packed with beachgoers. If you want a little more privacy, research multiple lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, then look for the busiest, most popular sandy party scene!
  3. Maximize unique local resources. If you have time for a longer getaway, find local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to camp directly on the water for a reasonable price.