Forest Lake

Location:

City of Forest Lake. 

Species Present:

Walleye: average abundance, average size.
Northern Pike: average abundance, average size.
Muskellunge: average abundance, average size with some larger fish present.
Largemouth Bass: average abundance, average size.
Bluegill: above average abundance, small average size.
Crappie: average abundance, smaller than average size.
Bullhead Species: low abundance, average size.
Rock Bass: average abundance, average size.
Yellow Perch: average abundance, small average size. 

Boat Access:

  • City access: West shore of 1st Lake; North of Broadway east of Hwy 61.
  • Willow Point Access: East side of Willow Point off N. Shore Trail.
  • 3rd Lake Access: East shore of 3rd Lake off N. Shore Trail.
  • Timm's Marina: Private facility with launch fee. South shore of 3rd lake off MN. 97. 

Aquatic Invasive Species Alert:

This lake contains Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush and zebra mussels. Remove any visible plants from your boat, trailer, or other boating equipment before leaving the lake. Drain all water from your boat and equipment. 

Additional Winter Access Sites:

  • 9th Ave S.E. and Beach Drive: South shore of 1st lake.
  • End of Ideal Ave N.: South point between 2nd lake and 3rd lake. 

Shore Fishing:

There are no public shore fishing areas on Forest Lake. 

Management Plans:

  1. Fisheries standard lake survey in 2021.
  2. Stock 1,531 pounds of Walleye fingerlings annually.
  3. Stock 766 Muskellunge fingerlings annually. 

Comments:

Forest Lake is a popular fishing lake. Largemouth Bass and Walleye are favorite targets of many anglers, and it is becoming an increasing popular site for Muskellunge angling. Summer angling can limited by abundant vegetation growth and competition with recreational boaters.

Ice angling for Walleye is popular, especially early in the season. Willow Point is a popular spot for early season ice anglers. 

Bass virus has been documented from bass in Forest Lake.

Anglers should be extremely careful to drain all water from boats and livewells when leaving the lake. Live-wells should be disinfected with bleach-water if you plan to fish another lake within a week of fishing on Forest Lake. Infected bass are sometimes hard to recognize. The virus attacks the swim bladder. Infected fish often swim near the surface and appear to have trouble swimming and remaining upright.

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