Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2020

Channel Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

5000

2020

Channel Catfish

Non-vulnerable 8 - 10"

2725

2020

Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

5569

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

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

Poor

The size structure of the bluegill population remains poor. Body condition was much higher for smaller fish (< 6”) than larger fish (> 6”). The fishery continues to be comprised almost entirely of fish < 7.5” in length. Anglers can expect most fish to be between 5” – 7” and weigh 0.1 – 0.25 pounds.

CHANNEL CATFISH

Very Good

Catfish remain abundant in Forbes Lake and should provide good fishing opportunities in the coming year. Body condition remained above target and catch rate remained high. Most fish will range from 1 – 3 pounds, with larger fish exceeding 5 pounds. This lake provides excellent bank fishing opportunities. Drift fishing the main lake is also very productive.

HYBRID STRIPED BASS (WIPERS)

Poor

Hybrid striped bass are also uncommon in the annual Forbes Lake surveys. Approximately 30% of the adult hybrid striped bass collected were longer than the 17” minimum length limit. The largest hybrid striped bass collected was 23.7” long and weighed just over 8 pounds. Most hybrid striped bass in 2022 are expected to be less than 14” long, but fish over the 17” minimum length should exceed 5 pounds. Hybrid striped bass fishing in 2022 will likely be poor to fair.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Very Good

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 has declined. In the 2021 survey, approximately 35% of the adult bass in the sample were longer than 12” in length. Approximately 18% of the adult bass collected were 14” or longer and only 4% exceeded 18” in length. Electrofishing catch rate decreased from 2020 to 2021, but still exceeded the lake management plan target. Average body condition remained stable and above lake management goals. For 2022, anglers can expect bass over 14” to weigh between 1.4 – 4.5 pounds and bass in the 8” – 12” range should also be abundant.

SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)

Fair

Saugeye are not very common in the annual Forbes Lake surveys. All 19 saugeye sampled in 2021 exceeded 15.5” inches in length and the largest saugeye was 21.5” long. Most saugeye collected in the survey were between 1 - 2.5 pounds, but a few larger fish were collected. Saugeye fishing in 2022 will likely be poor to fair.

WHITE CRAPPIE

Fair

The size structure of the white crappie population remained relatively poor, but crappie were very abundant. Average body condition for all sizes of crappie improved but remained below the lake management plan target. In 2021, 65% of the crappie collected were less than 7” long and 35% exceeded 8”. Approximately 61% of the total crappie collected were between 6” – 8”, while 25% were between 8” – 9” (86% between 6”–9”). On April 01, 2021, a new crappie regulation will take 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 2022 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.

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