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FORBES LAKE
Lake Information

County: Marion
Acreage: 585
Average Depth: 15.16 feet
Shoreline Length: 22.2 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Unrestricted
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? Yes
Skiing? Yes
Swimming? Yes
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? Yes
Trout stocked in fall
Trout stocked in spring
Click on area names for a more detailed map.
Dam,
Mountain,
Phillips
Maps are not intended for navigation.
There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2021 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
5000 |
2021 |
Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
14733 |
2021 |
Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
30219 |
2022 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
5000 |
2022 |
Channel Catfish |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
2500 |
2022 |
Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
5420 |
2022 |
Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye) |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
30821 |
Additional information for stocking on Forbes Lake - SFSP
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Poor | The size structure of the bluegill population remained poor. Overall body condition declined slightly, but body condition was much higher for smaller fish than larger fish. The fishery continued to be comprised almost entirely of fish < 7.5” in length. The bluegill population in this lake will likely always be hindered by gizzard shad. Anglers can expect most fish to be between 5” – 7” and weigh 0.1 – 0.25 pounds. | |
Very Good | Catfish remain abundant in Forbes Lake and should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Body condition decreased below target, but catch rates remained high. Most fish will range from 1 – 5 pounds with larger fish exceeding 6 pounds. This lake provides many bank fishing opportunities. Drift fishing the main lake is also very productive. | |
Good | The size structure of the white crappie population remained relatively poor, but crappie were very abundant. Average body condition for all sizes of crappie remained below the lake management plan target. In 2022, 53% of the crappie collected were less than 8” long and 47% exceeded 8”. Approximately 50% of the total crappie collected were between 6” – 8”, while 36% were between 8” – 9” (86% between 6” – 9”). In April 2021, a new crappie regulation took effect on Forbes Lake. 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. Crappie fishing in 2023 should be good and anglers can expect most fish to range from 6” – 9” in length with a few larger fish over 10”. Harvest of crappie less than 8” is strongly encouraged. | |
Fair | Hybrid striped bass are uncommon in the annual Forbes Lake surveys. Most hybrid striped bass caught in 2023 are expected to be less than 14” long, but fish over the 17” minimum length should exceed 5 pounds. The largest hybrid striped bass collected in 2022 was 25” long and weighed 8.9 pounds. Hybrid striped bass fishing in 2023 will likely be poor to fair. | |
Very Good | In April 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 has declined. In the 2022 survey, approximately 49% of the adult bass in the sample were longer than 12” in length. Approximately 24% of the adult bass collected were 14” or longer and only 4% exceeded 18” in length. Electrofishing catch rate increased from 2021 to 2022 and exceeded the lake management plan target. Average body condition remained stable and above lake management goals. For 2023, anglers can expect bass over 14” to weigh between 1.6 – 4 pounds and bass in the 8” – 13” range should also be abundant. | |
Fair | Saugeye are not very common in the annual Forbes Lake surveys. Approximately 80% of the saugeye surveyed in 2022 were over the 14” minimum, but catch rates were very low. Saugeye surveyed in the spring had very good average body condition and those surveyed in the fall had good body condition. Most saugeye over the 14” minimum should weigh 1 – 3 pounds and a few larger fish may be caught. Saugeye fishing in 2023 will likely be poor to fair. | |
Location: Forbes Lake is located in Marion County, approximately 13 miles northeast of Salem Illinois.
Description: Forbes Lake was constructed in Stephen A. Forbes State Park near Salem in 1963. The Lake has a surface area of 585 acres, a maximum depth of 31 feet, and a mean depth of 12 feet. The lake has 18 miles of shoreline and a watershed of 13,800 acres.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: The sport fish population in Forbes Lake is comprised primarily of largemouth bass, bluegill, white crappie, and channel catfish. The lake is stocked annually with saugeye (walleye/sauger hybrid), channel catfish, and hybrid striped bass (wiper). The lake also contains a strong population of yellow bullhead and large common carp (20+ lbs.). The fish population is surveyed annually, and summaries below are based on the results of the most recent population survey and four-year trends in the population indices.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line fishing only.
Two pole and line fishing only.
Site Regulations:
Largemouth Bass: 6 fish daily limit; 14" minimum length limit
Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass: 3 fish daily limit; 17" minimum length limit
Channel Catfish: 6 fish daily limit, no length limit
Black, White, or Hybrid Crappie: 10 fish daily limit 8" or longer. Unlimited creel on crappie under 8"
Saugeye: 6 fish daily limit; 14" minimum length limit
Contact Information: Stephen A. Forbes State Park 618-547-3381IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Boone LaHood618-393-6732
There were 35 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2022.
Species | Total Fish Caught |
Largemouth Bass | 557 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
1 6.75 lbs | 2 6.00 lbs | 3 5.85 lbs | 4 5.45 lbs | 5 5.15 lbs |
Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2022 tournaments:
1 | 153.25 lbs |
2 | 103.60 lbs |
3 | 78.25 lbs |
4 | 74.80 lbs |
5 | 70.93 lbs |
Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.
Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.
2023 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
June-01 | 24226 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-08 | 24227 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-10 | 24322 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-11 | 23484 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-15 | 24228 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-17 | 23081 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Spotted Bass | No | Yes |
June-18 | 22930 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-22 | 24229 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
June-25 | 23187 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
June-29 | 24230 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-06 | 24231 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-09 | 23119 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-13 | 24232 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-15 | 23024 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
July-20 | 24233 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-27 | 24234 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
July-29 | 24469 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 30 | Largemouth Bass | Yes | No |
August-03 | 24235 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-10 | 24236 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-12 | 24323 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-17 | 24237 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-19 | 23084 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Spotted Bass | No | Yes |
August-20 | 24817 | Pending | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-24 | 24238 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
August-26 | 22941 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-27 | 24711 | Pending | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 19 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
August-31 | 24239 | Approved | West Launch (no tournaments) | boathook | 18 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
September-09 | 23013 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass | No | Yes |
September-23 | 23086 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 20 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Spotted Bass | No | Yes |
September-24 | 23097 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 15 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-08 | 23023 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-15 | 23243 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 10 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |
October-21 | 23069 | Approved | East Launch (Dam Area) | boathook | 19 | Largemouth Bass | No | No |