Forest Lake, Washington County Fishing
Washington County, 2,271 acres, 37 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of St. Croix River: Jon Platek, CC BY-SA 3.0
The short version on Forest Lake, Washington County
Forest Lake, Washington County is a lake of 2,271 acres in Washington County. Depth bottoms out near 37 feet, with an average of 10.7 feet. 1,561 acres, about 69% of the total, are less than 15 feet deep. A drive of about 2 miles reaches Forest Lake, the nearest city. It falls under the Metro East area fisheries office. It is on the DNR muskie lake list with a introduced population.
Recent DNR surveys found walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. There are 3 public water accesses around the lake. The most recent standard survey dates to July 7, 2025. The walleye catch of 7.9 per gill net was above the DNR normal range of 1.2-6.3. Median ice-out since 1950 is April 9, from 102 records.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 DNR survey results for Forest Lake, Washington County
From the standard survey completed July 7, 2025: catch, catch per set and average weight against the DNR normal ranges.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 79 | 7.9 | 1.2-6.3 | 2.54 | 1.2-2.7 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.27 | 0.3-1.2 | 1.75 | 0.8-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 118 | 11.8 | 1.5-7.3 | 3.74 | 2.0-3.5 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.33 | 4.57 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 136 | 13.6 | 2.0-27.9 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.13 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.09 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 36 | 3.6 | 2.5-16.5 | 0.21 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 15 | 1 | 1.8-21.2 | 0.29 | 0.2-0.3 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 339 | 33.9 | 0.11 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 197 | 13.13 | 7.5-62.5 | 0.14 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 17 | 1.7 | 0.3-0.8 | 1.23 | 0.4-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 10 | 0.67 | 0.2-0.7 | 0.67 | 0.2-0.9 |
Gill net catch on Forest Lake, Washington County by species
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Survey narrative for Forest Lake, Washington County
“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.”
“The primary management species in the lake are Walleye and Muskellunge both of which are maintained through stocking.”
“Walleyes fingerlings are stocked annually on a variable schedule of either 995 or 1531 pounds.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Forest Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Public water accesses on Forest Lake, Washington County
- Forest Lake, #1 Lakeside Park Access2 ramps, 15 trailer stalls, 2 docks, City of Forest Lake
- Forest Lake, #2 Willow Point Access1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Forest Lake, #3 Hagberg Access1 ramp, 28 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Public accesses close to Forest Lake, Washington County
- Clear Lake Access near Forest LakeClear, 3 miles west
- Comfort Lake AccessComfort, 4 miles north
- Bone Lake AccessBone, 4 miles east
- Big Marine Lake (N) AccessBig Marine, 4 miles southeast
- Howard Lake AccessHoward, 5 miles west
- Green Lake Access near Chisago CityGreen, 5 miles northeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Structure of Forest Lake, Washington County
12 clarity readings on Forest Lake, Washington County date from 2007 onward.
Extremes in the Forest Lake, Washington County ice-out record: March 3, 2024 early, May 2, 2013 late.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
How high Forest Lake, Washington County is running
Readings in the DNR record for Forest Lake, Washington County come from gauge readers, so each one is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NAVD 88).
Fish swimming in Forest Lake, Washington County
Survey catches from the DNR set this Forest Lake, Washington County species list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Forest Lake, Washington County rules from the DNR booklet
Statewide inland limits cover Forest Lake, Washington County; the DNR lists no special rule for it.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
By location Forest Lake, Washington County belongs to the North-central Zone; check posted boundaries near the lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Forest Lake, Washington County event dates
The Forest Lake, Washington County tournament page lists permits, dates and winners.
How Forest Lake, Washington County stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Lake, Washington County | 2,271 | 37 | 3 | 7.9 | |
| Shields Lake, Washington County | 1 mile south | 30 | 27 | 0 | |
| Little Comfort Lake | 3 miles north | 37 | 56 | 0 | 4.67 |
| Clear Lake near Forest Lake, Washington County | 3 miles west | 429 | 28 | 1 | 6.43 |
| Keewahtin Lake | 3 miles southeast | 92 | 34 | 0 | |
| Comfort Lake, Chisago County | 3 miles north | 218 | 47 | 1 | 2 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
What sits close to Forest Lake, Washington County
Lakes one stop past Forest Lake, Washington County
- Shields Lake, Washington County1 mile south
- Little Comfort Lake3 miles north
- Clear Lake near Forest Lake, Washington County3 miles west
- Keewahtin Lake3 miles southeast
- Comfort Lake, Chisago County3 miles north
Bait shops an easy drive from Forest Lake, Washington County
- Big Marine Lake Storemarine supply store, Marine On Saint Croix, 4 miles
- Frankies' Live Bait & Marinebait and tackle shop, Chisago City, 7 miles
- Bearz Sport Incsporting goods store, Saint Paul, 13 miles
- Fleet Farm, 10250 Lexington Avenue Northeastsporting goods store, Blaine, 14 miles
- White Bear Baitbait and tackle shop, White Bear Lake, 14 miles
- Wolf Marinamarina, Washington, 15 miles
Towns to stay in near Forest Lake, Washington County
- Forest Lake2 miles
- Wyoming5 miles
- Chisago City5 miles
Forest Lake, Washington County and its counties
- Washington Countyseat: Stillwater
Reels and a weigh grip for Forest Lake, Washington County
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Catches common at Forest Lake, Washington County
Photo: Robert Colletta, Public domain
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Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Forest Lake, Washington County, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county is Forest Lake, Washington County in?
Look in Washington County, managed from the Metro East fisheries office, about 2 miles from Forest Lake.
How does Forest Lake, Washington County rank by size?
LakeFinder lists 2,271 acres, 37 feet at the deepest.
Which access serves Forest Lake, Washington County?
3 public accesses; Forest Lake, #1 Lakeside Park Access is one.
Which fish can I hook in Forest Lake, Washington County?
On file: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and muskellunge.
What did the last survey of Forest Lake, Washington County find?
The newest is a standard survey from July 7, 2025. walleye ran 7.9 per gill net.
Are the statewide limits in force on Forest Lake, Washington County?
The statewide table covers it (North-central Zone).
Which Minnesota license do I need on Forest Lake, Washington County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Is there a level gauge on Forest Lake, Washington County?
Ice usually leaves near April 9; most recently March 31, 2026.
Who sells leeches near Forest Lake, Washington County?
Big Marine Lake Store, about 4 miles away.
Add Forest Lake, Washington County to the summer list
Check the limits, then pick an access above.