Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 7, 2025
Forest Lake FishingDWater-quality grade D
Minnesota DNR surveys at Forest Lake average 32.29 bluegill per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 20 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 7, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 2–7 inches. In Washington County, Minnesota, Forest Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of D. Water clarity averages 5.1 feet of visibility, and there are 3 public boat landings. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Forest Lake
18 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Forest Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
3 public boat landings are recorded on Forest Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Forest Lake average 32.29 bluegill per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 20 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 7, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 2–7 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Forest Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
20 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-07-07 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 32.29 | 0.11 lb |
| Black Crappie | 8.40 | 0.17 lb |
| Spottail Shiner | 7.16 | — |
| Yellow Perch | 7.00 | 0.1 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 6.76 | 0.16 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Black Crappie
Yellow Perch
Pumpkinseed
From the 2025-07-07 survey
Forest Lake is a 2,251 acre lake comprised of three distinct basins and assigned to lake class 24. There are three public boat accesses available on the lake resulting in high recreational use. Zebra Mussels were discovered in 2015. The primary management species in the lake are Walleye and Muskellunge both of which…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Forest Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — ForestFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — ForestFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — ForestPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Forest Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Forest Lake average 32.29 bluegill per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 20 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 7, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 2–7 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 18 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Forest Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Forest Lake is dated July 7, 2025. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Forest Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Forest Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Forest Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Forest Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Forest Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Forest Lake
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