Forest

Itasca County, Minnesota — DOW #31037400

121 Surveys

37.31

Acres

31 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Forest. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1956-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 7.1	0.60 lb	1
1956-08-13	Standard trap nets	4.8 (normal)	0.5 – 5.9	1.26 lb	19
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 5.9	1.00 lb	1
1976-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 7.1	0.50 lb	1
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 5.9	1.17 lb	2

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1956-08-13	Standard gill nets	12.7 (above normal)	1.0 – 4.3	0.11 lb	38
1956-08-13	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	0.7 – 4.3	0.13 lb	6
2019-08-19	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	1.0 – 4.3	0.24 lb	5
2019-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.3	0.26 lb	3
1983-08-24	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.0 – 4.3	0.20 lb	4
1983-08-24	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.7 – 4.3	0.10 lb	8
1997-08-11	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	1.0 – 4.3	0.30 lb	28
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	4.0 (normal)	0.7 – 4.3	0.25 lb	36
1976-08-30	Standard gill nets	20.5 (above normal)	1.0 – 4.3	0.24 lb	41
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	12.8 (above normal)	0.7 – 4.3	0.25 lb	51
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.0 – 4.3	0.23 lb	7
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	0.7 – 4.3	0.16 lb	20
1989-08-14	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	1.0 – 4.3	0.23 lb	3
1989-08-14	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.3	0.25 lb	2

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1956-08-13	Standard gill nets	2.0 (below normal)	2.7 – 9.3	5.00 lb	6
1956-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	5.00 lb	1
2019-08-19	Standard gill nets	7.3 (normal)	2.7 – 9.3	3.51 lb	22
1983-08-24	Standard gill nets	10.5 (above normal)	2.7 – 9.3	2.21 lb	21
1983-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	2.00 lb	2
1997-08-11	Standard gill nets	1.8 (below normal)	2.7 – 9.3	3.94 lb	14
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	1.65 lb	2
1976-08-30	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	2.7 – 9.3	4.00 lb	6
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.50 lb	1
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	2.7 – 9.3	4.88 lb	10
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	1.85 lb	2
1989-08-14	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	2.7 – 9.3	4.30 lb	11

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1956-08-13	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.83 lb	6
2019-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	2.56 lb	1
1997-08-11	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	1.67 lb	8
1976-08-30	Standard gill nets	3.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.5	2.25 lb	6
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.3	1.96 lb	7
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	2.73 lb	4

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1956-08-13	Standard trap nets	4.0 (normal)	2.9 – 41.2	0.07 lb	16
1956-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.10 lb	2
2019-08-19	Standard gill nets	4.3	—	0.05 lb	13
2019-08-19	Standard trap nets	3.8 (normal)	2.9 – 41.2	0.05 lb	19
1983-08-24	Standard trap nets	3.8 (normal)	2.9 – 41.2	0.12 lb	15
1983-08-24	Standard gill nets	11.0	—	0.68 lb	22
1997-08-11	Standard gill nets	1.1	—	0.17 lb	9
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	6.7 (normal)	2.9 – 41.2	0.10 lb	60
1976-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.10 lb	1
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	9.0 (normal)	2.9 – 41.2	0.29 lb	36
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	26.0	—	0.19 lb	78
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	42.2 (above normal)	2.9 – 41.2	0.06 lb	380
1989-08-14	Standard trap nets	5.5 (normal)	2.9 – 41.2	0.15 lb	22

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1956-08-13	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	0.7 – 3.6	0.15 lb	12
1956-08-13	Standard gill nets	48.0 (above normal)	1.9 – 19.1	0.07 lb	144
2019-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.6	0.06 lb	3
2019-08-19	Standard gill nets	10.3 (normal)	1.9 – 19.1	0.09 lb	31
1983-08-24	Standard trap nets	4.0 (above normal)	0.7 – 3.6	0.03 lb	16
1983-08-24	Standard gill nets	14.0 (normal)	1.9 – 19.1	0.04 lb	28
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	9.7 (above normal)	0.7 – 3.6	0.10 lb	87
1997-08-11	Standard gill nets	25.0 (above normal)	1.9 – 19.1	0.10 lb	200
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	9.0 (above normal)	0.7 – 3.6	0.19 lb	36
1976-08-30	Standard gill nets	93.0 (above normal)	1.9 – 19.1	0.15 lb	186
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.7 – 3.6	0.17 lb	9
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	7.7 (normal)	1.9 – 19.1	0.10 lb	23
1989-08-14	Standard trap nets	30.3 (above normal)	0.7 – 3.6	0.10 lb	121
1989-08-14	Standard gill nets	91.3 (above normal)	1.9 – 19.1	0.12 lb	274

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1956-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	0.30 lb	3
2019-08-19	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 1.5	1.48 lb	3
2019-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.0	0.09 lb	1
1983-08-24	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 1.5	1.50 lb	2
1997-08-11	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 1.5	0.43 lb	8
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	0.16 lb	4
1976-08-30	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 1.5	0.88 lb	2
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	0.56 lb	6
2009-08-10	Standard electrofishing	79.0	—	1.31 lb	62
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 1.5	1.69 lb	2

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1956-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.40 lb	3
1956-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.6	1.00 lb	1
2019-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.6	0.09 lb	1
2019-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.16 lb	2
1983-08-24	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.22 lb	5
1997-08-11	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.6 – 3.6	0.21 lb	5
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.17 lb	13
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.22 lb	8
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.6 – 3.6	0.06 lb	2
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.19 lb	2

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1956-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 3.8	1.90 lb	2
1956-08-13	Standard trap nets	1.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	2.33 lb	6
1997-08-11	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	0.5 – 3.8	2.07 lb	13
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.36 lb	9
1976-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 3.8	4.00 lb	1
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 3.8	2.37 lb	3
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	2.28 lb	3

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1956-08-13	Standard trap nets	8.5 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.4	0.10 lb	34
2019-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.19 lb	1
2019-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.5 – 7.4	0.04 lb	1
1983-08-24	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	1.5 – 7.4	0.11 lb	9
1997-08-11	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.21 lb	4
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	3.6 (normal)	1.5 – 7.4	0.11 lb	32
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	14.3 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.4	0.20 lb	57
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	3.7	—	0.24 lb	11
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	7.2 (normal)	1.5 – 7.4	0.11 lb	65
1989-08-14	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	0.33 lb	3
1989-08-14	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	1.5 – 7.4	0.17 lb	8

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.8	0.18 lb	1
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.8	0.15 lb	1
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 2.8	0.22 lb	5
1976-08-30	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 0.8	0.10 lb	1
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	0.3 – 2.8	0.12 lb	21
1989-08-14	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 2.8	0.20 lb	2

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 6.2	0.21 lb	1
1997-08-11	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 6.2	0.09 lb	1
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.2	0.03 lb	1
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.2	0.07 lb	1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	0.19 lb	1
1997-08-11	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	0.18 lb	9
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.3	—	0.20 lb	4
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	7.8	—	0.15 lb	70

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.3	6.47 lb	1
1983-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.3	6.00 lb	1
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.3	3.53 lb	1

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.4 – 7.0	1.00 lb	3
1976-08-30	Standard trap nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.4 – 7.0	0.88 lb	4

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

Bass Lake public Water Access - Whispering Pines

Grand Rapids, MN

★ 3

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-0351

★ 4.3

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids, MN

Marine Clinic

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 244-4281

★ 4.9

Mishawaka Outdoors LLC

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 812-8888

NorthStar Barge

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 269-0566

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Forest

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Forest.

Anchor Inn Resort

Fishing Resort Spring Lake

(218) 659-2718

Birch Haven Resort Closed

Fishing Resort Bovey

(218) 910-9707

Bowen Lodge

Fishing Resort Deer River

(218) 246-8707

Loon Point Resort

Fishing Resort Bigfork

(218) 245-1470

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Forest. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Green Sunfish Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass White Sucker Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Forest

Bro's Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 340-6051

Early Bird Fishing Guide Jeff Sundin

Fishing Guide

(218) 245-9858

Grand Rapids Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 259-7140

Minnesota Fishing Connections

Fishing Guide

(218) 259-2628

MN Fishing Pros

Fishing Guide

(218) 244-2517

Moo Moo's Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 398-7593

View all 9 guides →

Other Lakes in Itasca County

Plan Your Trip to Forest

Weather forecast for Forest — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.2386°N, 93.5483°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Forest

DNR Fish Surveys

Brown Bullhead

Black Crappie

Northern Pike

White Sucker

Bluegill

Yellow Perch

Largemouth Bass

Rock Bass

Walleye

Pumpkinseed

Green Sunfish

Golden Shiner

Hybrid Sunfish

Bowfin

Yellow Bullhead

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Best Bet Waxworm Wholesale Bait & Breeder Kits

Bite Me Waxworms Wholesale Bait Shop

Diamond Custom Rods

Fred's Live Bait & Tackle

Frontier Sports

Glen's Army & Navy Store

God's Country Outfitters

Hollywood Bait

Nearby Marinas

Bass Lake public Water Access - Whispering Pines

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids Marine

Marine Clinic

Mishawaka Outdoors LLC

NorthStar Barge

Resorts & Lodges Near Forest

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Forest

Other Lakes in Itasca County

Alice

Allen

Amen

Anderson

Ann

Antler

Plan Your Trip to Forest