Matthews Little Portage Camp, is owned and operated by me, Johnny and my son & partener Scott Matthews
It was established around the 1930's by my Dad & his brother my Uncle Harry with one 1 little log cabin as an outpost cabin used for lake trout fishing by guests from their already estblished tourist camp on Pine Lake
Back in the thirtys the Camp was only accessable by water from a landing @ the head of the lake.
After my Dad's passing in 1959 ,Mom a very young widow ,me @ the age of 16 (know it all @ that age) operated the camp until my marrage in 1964 I am now 80 years old and not near as smart /Know it all ,as I was at the age of 16 Me & my wife Judy with our 4 sons operated the camp until our divorce in 2008. We put the road into camp in the late 60' Since 2008 Scotty my son & camp co owner /partener & I have been operating the Camp
Since its conseption in the thirtys the Camp has seen a lot of changes. From outside toilets to carry your own water from the lake / from a Water access Sunner vacation paradice to a full 4 season drive to your frontt door place to come to on your any time of year vacation .
In 1982 we were instrumental in establishing a very succesful pickerel hatchery @ MLPC. It is still operating and producing 1 million pickerel every year which enhances the already abundant pickerel population
There are eight (8) cottages on five (5) acres of land with slight to modest elevation, access to lakeshore frontage with docking and boat launches on both sides of the lake. The 5 acer camp, is on a narrows called an isthmus (like Panama), which has has connecting water on both sides giving us the advantage of close proximity to good fishing spots. This also allows plenty of open water for safe water skiing and other water sports. on the North Side & South Side
My job here at the camp, besides cutting the grass and taking out the trash, is to make your vacation as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. “A satisfied customer” was always my parents' policy and it's also mine. I guess that's why we have clientele and friends returning to our camp year after year for 2, 3 & 4 generations.
The camp now is a 2 man operation with lots of help from my other 2 sons and some of the 8 grandchildren. If you need anything, there's always someone to help. I can’t change the weather, nor can I make the fish bite, but I’m quite certain I can handle the rest.
Many thanks to my granddaughter (Leneath) and long time friends & customers (Jamie & Lisa Alton) for putting this website into action - a whole new experience for me! I look forward to meeting new friends and clients. If you're interested and need more information about me or the camp, it's best to send me an email message since I am usually outside during the day. It will be a pleasure to answer your questions and talk to you.
To have you stay at the camp as a guest would be the Grand Finale!