---
type: lake
name: "Forest Lake"
county: "Washington"
nearest_town: "Forest Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 2271
max_depth_ft: 37
latitude: 45.27388
longitude: -92.9461
lake_score: 68
dnr_lake_id: "82015900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/forest-lake
---

# Forest Lake

Lake in Washington County, Minnesota, near Forest Lake

- **Surface Area**: 2,271 acres
- **Max Depth**: 37 ft
- **Shoreline**: 15.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 68/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Forest Lake is a 2,271-acre lake near Forest Lake in Washington County, Minnesota. It reaches 37 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 15.7 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 18 Washington County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.6 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and white crappie. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Timm's Marina & Seasonal RV Park is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 9, based on 102 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 18
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Timm's Marina & Seasonal RV Park

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 9
- **Years of record**: 102
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-03
- **Latest**: 2013-05-02

## Nearby Lakes

- [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/clear-lake) - 2.9 miles, 429 acres
- [Comfort Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/chisago-county/comfort-lake) - 3.3 miles, 218 acres
- [Bone Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/bone-lake) - 4.3 miles, 221 acres
- [Green Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/chisago-county/green-lake) - 5.4 miles, 1,809 acres
- [Big Marine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/big-marine-lake) - 5.8 miles, 1,799 acres
- [Spider Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/chisago-county/spider-lake) - 6.7 miles, 131 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.27388,-92.9461)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=82015900)
- [All lakes in Washington County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/washington-county/forest-lake)*