Rice Portage Lake - Ponto Lake Twp

Cass County, Minn.

Rice Portage Lake is among the Portage Chain of Lakes in Ponto Lake Township, Minnesota. Be sure to visit nearby Brainerd, about an hour away. Duluth makes for an excellent day trip, about three hours away. There are a few smaller airfields nearby, but the closest major airport is Duluth International Airport, less than three hours away. Urgent care can be provided at CHI St. Joseph’s Health: Emergency Room, less than an hour away. Snacks and groceries can be found at Long Pine Store and Pizza, only five minutes away. Locals recommend a few must-go-to locations to eat, such as Big Tap Bar & Grill, Jen’s Cabaret, and Canal House Restaurant.

Life on the Water

This 248-acre lake boasts not only its namesake but a flourishing and warm community. Each of the lakes in this chain offers a myriad of activities. Rice Portage Lake is well suited for the angler, and the other two lakes are easily navigable from this one. For the avid water skier, Big Portage Lake is the largest lake in the chain and the most well equipped for the activity and such like it. The only public ramp for the Portage Chain of Lakes can be found on Big Portage Lake. The Portage Chain of Lakes maintains a warm community life and often will host events for those on the chain. For anglers looking to toss out a line, a few of the many fish found are Bluegill, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bowfin, and Walleye.

Visit Brainerd

Often referred to as "Minnesota’s Playground," Brainerd is a bustling city full of attractions, history, entertainment, delicious dining, and outdoor adventures. The Paul Bunyan Trail offers plenty of fun in nature. The area has over 120 miles of bike trails, small towns to explore, snowmobiling trails, cross-country skiing trails, geocaching, kayaking, and fishing. Speaking of Paul Bunyan, don't skip Paul Bunyan Land! This amusement park has 27 rides, attractions, and a pioneer village. The highlight of the park is a 26-foot-tall animated and talking statue of Paul Bunyan that greets guests by name. Safari North is a wildlife park promoting education and conservation while allowing visitors to get up close and personal with many animals. Guests can also feed a giraffe, ride a camel, mingle with parakeets, dig for dinosaurs, visit play areas, and enjoy a petting zoo. After a long day of sightseeing, enjoy a delicious dinner at a top-rated restaurant such as Ernies On Gull, The Classic Grill at Madden's, The Barn, The Local 218, and Christmas Point, Inc.

Explore Duluth

Duluth is the perfect spot for a weekend city getaway in the city while still offering beautiful, natural scenery. For an outdoor adventure off the water, visit any of the city's 23 parks. The Leif Erickson Park is one of the most popular ones and features a rose garden with 1,800 bushes. It is widely considered one of the best rose gardens in the state. Lake Superior Zoo offers a fun, family-friendly trip to see over 140 species in indoor and outdoor settings. The zoo also has a cafe, a gift shop, interactive visits, and behind-the-scenes tours. Looking to take a scenic drive? The North Shore Scenic Drive spans around 150 miles, following the shoreline of Lake Superior. It offers great photo opportunities, historic landmarks, and quaint shops along the way. When visitors head back to the city and are looking for a place to eat, there's something to satisfy every craving. Highly-rated options include Duluth Grill, OMC Smokehouse, Va Bene, New Scenic Cafe, and Vitta Pizza.

The Best of Both Worlds

Rice Portage Lake is a perfect fit for anyone ready to retire but also provides all the amenities for those looking to settle down or establish a family home.