Forest Lake near 45.2736, -92.9489 is a lake in Washington County, Minnesota. Forest Lake covers about 2,271 acres, reaches a recorded 37 feet and holds about 24,275 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Forest Lake Affect Fishing
Forest Lake is too large to fish all at once, so pick one group of coves and points and stay there long enough to learn what the fish are using.
Fish and Baits at Forest Lake
Fish reported from Forest Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook silverside, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, common carp, common shiner, emerald shiner, fathead minnow, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, spotfin shiner, spottail shiner, walleye, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Forest Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Forest Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Forest Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Muskellunge and Pike
For large predators at Forest Lake, throw a bucktail, jerkbait or large rubber lure along points and weed edges for muskellunge, and cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads and Carp
For bottom fishing at Forest Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Forest Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Forest Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
How the Seasons Change Forest Lake
Spring at Forest Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Forest Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Forest Lake
On a first trip to Forest Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for Forest Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Forest Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for pike or muskellunge.
Forest Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 2,271-acre Forest Lake?
At Forest Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 37-foot deep end of Forest Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Forest Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 24,275 acre-foot storage figure mean at Forest Lake?
At Forest Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.