Forbes Lake
Forbes Lake is a 585 acre reservoir inside Stephen A. Forbes State Park, about 13 miles northeast of Salem in Marion County. It was built in 1963 and is known for bluegill, catfish and bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Channel Catfish
Most run 1 to 5 pounds, some over 8
Bluegill
Most fish are 5 to 7 inches
Largemouth Bass
Most bass over 14 inches weigh 1.3 to 4 pounds
Saugeye
Stocked yearly
Crappie
White crappie are plentiful but small
Wiper
Most over 17 inches weigh 2 to 6 pounds
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Forbes State Park boat rampsRampPublic boat ramps inside the state park. Handicap access available.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass Applies to largemouth and smallmouth | 14 in | 6 / day |
| Smallmouth Bass | 14 in | 6 / day |
| Channel Catfish | See Illinois rules book ↗ | 6 / day |
| Striped Bass Also applies to white and hybrid striped bass | 17 in | 3 / day |
| Wiper | 17 in | 3 / day |
| Crappie No daily limit, but no more than 10 fish 8 inches or longer | See Illinois rules book ↗ |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Illinois Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Forbes Lake ↗Local tips
- Release crappie under 8 inches. The lake strongly encourages it.
- Parts of the lake are a waterfowl refuge or hunting area, so check posted areas.
- Bass must be 14 inches or longer to keep.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Illinois lakes
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.