Choose another lake

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

larger map link Mountain Phillips Dam


    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

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.

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
618-547-3381
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Boone LaHood
618-393-6732

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-0124226ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-0824227ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1024322ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1123484ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-1524228ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-1723081ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
NoYes
June-1822930ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-2224229ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
June-2523187ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-2924230ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-0624231ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-0923119ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-1324232ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1523024ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
July-2024233ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-2724234ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-2924469ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
30Largemouth Bass
YesNo
August-0324235ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1024236ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1224323ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1724237ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-1923084ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
NoYes
August-2024817PendingEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-2424238ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
August-2622941ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-2724711PendingEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoNo
August-3124239ApprovedWest Launch (no tournaments) boat
hook
18Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-0923013ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
NoYes
September-2323086ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
20Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
NoYes
September-2423097ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-0823023ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-1523243ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
10Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-2123069ApprovedEast Launch (Dam Area) boat
hook
19Largemouth Bass
NoNo