Boat Survey

Over 5,500 Boats on the Portage Chain

For many years we subsidized a boat survey performed by PBWOA Member Dick Knight. The survey did an excellent job of counting all boats on the respective lakes even those on shore. Results of the 2016 survey are summarized in the table below. The 2013 survey summary is also included below that.

The report lists, not only the number of boats, but also what style of boat. It includes all 8 Lakes (Little Portage, Portage, Base, Tamarack, Whitewood, Gallagher, Strawberry and Zukey) as well as the Canals / Ponds / Lagoons, Launch Sites, Marinas, Out-lots and Sail Clubs. The most significant change is the increase in the number of paddle-powered boats including stand-up paddleboard (SUPs).

Changes from 2013 to 2016 were: Pontoon Boats: +89; Power Boats: -7; Jet Skis: -25; Fishing Boats: +65; Sailboats: -35; Paddleboats: -48; Canoes/Kayaks/SUPs: +240; Total: +288.

The complete detailed report is available by clicking HERE

Summary of 2016 Boat Census

P X J F S PDL C/K/SUP Total
Baseline 139 86 56 40 52 19 125 517
Portage 690 436 197 118 100 114 342 1997
Little Portage 62 47 19 5 0 3 16 152
Access Sites 7 100 18 9 0 0 10 144
Tamarack Lake 47 61 23 19 2 25 71 247
Whitewood Lake 82 40 32 11 0 20 62 234
Gallagher Lake 175 55 33 29 1 42 93 428
Strawberry Lake 210 70 66 42 4 32 129 553
Zukey Lake 202 47 51 22 4 33 88 447
TOTALS 1943 1083 554 344 172 343 1066 5505

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Key to 2016 Column Headings

  • P = Pontoon Boats
  • X = Power Boats
  • J = Jet Ski
  • F = Fishing Boat
  • S = Sailboat
  • PDL = Paddle Boat
  • C/K/SUP = Canoe, Kayak, Stand Up Paddleboard

Summary of 2013 Boat Census

P X J F S PDL C K Tot
Baseline 130 84 55 41 43 31 42 91 517
Baseline
Canals & Outlots
26 13 5 2 3 2 4 10 65
Portage 647 439 202 85 138 124 68 184 1887
Portage
Canals & Lagoons
238 110 63 29 5 54 21 62 582
Portage
Outlots
66 31 5 0 3 4 1 14 124
Little Portage 64 49 16 7 2 14 4 8 164
Access Sites 1 56 12 6 0 0 4 6 85
Tamarack Lake 42 62 27 20 1 29 11 56 248
Whitewood Lake 83 47 30 14 1 22 11 26 234
Gallagher Lake 153 49 24 25 0 43 16 44 354
Strawberry Lake 209 90 88 28 8 37 30 64 554
Zukey Lake 186 60 52 22 3 31 14 35 403
TOTALS 1854 1090 579 279 207 391 226 600 5217

Mobile Users – Slide to Scroll

Key to 2013 Column Headings

  • P = Pontoon Boats
  • X = Power Boats
  • J = Jet Ski
  • F = Fishing Boat
  • S = Sailboat
  • PDL = Paddle Boat
  • C = Canoe
  • K = Kayak