Forbes Lake - SFSP

Bluegill

Good

Bluegill were not sampled in the 2025 survey. However, trend data suggests that Bluegill fishing will remain good in 2026, despite their overall size structure being hindered by the dense Gizzard Shad population, with most fish between 5” – 7” long and weighing 0.1 – 0.25 pounds.

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fair

Historically, Saugeye have not been very common in annual Forbes Lake surveys. Saugeye are typically stocked annually, but they were not stocked in 2020 or 2023. In the 2025 survey, gillnetting catch rates improved to 12 fish per net-night and electrofishing catch rates decreased to 0.5 per hour. Saugeye surveyed in the spring had very good average body condition (Wr=106) and those surveyed in the fall had lower body condition (Wr=87). Approximately 95% of the adult Saugeye surveyed in 2025 were over the 14” minimum length limit and 84% were over 18” long. Most Saugeye over the 14” minimum should weigh 2 – 4 pounds and a few larger fish may be caught. Saugeye fishing in 2026 will likely be fair.

Largemouth Bass

Average

On April 01, 2019, the 14” – 18” protected slot limit was replaced by a 14” minimum length limit. Following the removal of the slot limit, the bass population size structure declined. Despite the downward shift, recent surveys are consistent and indicate that the size structure has stabilized. In the 2025 survey, approximately 51% of the adult bass in the sample were longer than 12” in length, 29% of the adult bass collected were 14” or longer, and only 4% exceeded 18” in length (67% less than the 2018 value when the slot limit was still in place). The electrofishing catch rate increased to 175 per hour and average body condition decreased to Wr=91. Largemouth Bass longer than the 14” minimum length limit exhibited much higher average body condition scores than the smaller bass in the sample. For 2026, anglers can expect most bass over 14” to weigh between 1.3 – 4 pounds and bass in the 9” – 12” range should also be abundant.

White Crappie

Fair

The size structure of the White Crappie population remained relatively poor, but crappie continued to be very abundant. Average body condition for all sizes of crappie fell below the lake management plan target at Wr=85. Approximately 68% of all the White Crappie sampled were between 6” – 8” long, with an additional 25% in the 8” – 10” size range (93% longer than 6”, but less than 10”). Only 5% of the adult crappie sampled were over 9” long and 2% were longer than 10”. Anglers can expect to catch an abundance of fish in the 6” – 10” size class weighing 0.09 – 0.38 pounds. There is no creel limit on crappie under 8” in length, but only 10 crappie 8” in length and longer may be harvested per day. Harvest of crappie less than 8” is strongly encouraged.

Channel Catfish

Good

Channel Catfish remain abundant in Forbes Lake and should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Body condition (Wr=89) declined to just below the lake management plan minimum target and the electrofishing catch rate decreased to 23 per hour. Approximately 98% of the adult Channel Catfish collected were 14” or longer and 47% exceeded 18”. Most fish in 2026 will range from 1 – 5 pounds with larger fish exceeding 8 pounds.

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fair

Hybrid Striped Bass are also uncommon in the annual Forbes Lake surveys, but spring gillnetting catch rates improved from 8 per net-night in 2024 to 13 per net-night in 2025. Approximately 63% of the adult Hybrid Striped Bass collected exceeded the 17” minimum length limit. Most Hybrid Striped Bass caught in 2026 over the 17” minimum length limit should range from 2.25 – 6.3 pounds. Hybrid striped bass fishing in 2026 will likely be fair.