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

Species

Rank

Fish Status

BLUEGILL

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.

CHANNEL CATFISH

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.

CRAPPIE

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.

HYBRID STRIPED BASS (WIPERS)

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.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

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.

SAUGEYE (Walleye/Sauger Hybrid)

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.

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