Fishing at Forest Lake, Marion County, Indiana

• Overview

  Forest Lake is one of the Marion County waters in Indiana. The water sits 889 feet up. This is a pocket water of some 6 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Head to Fairfield Heights, 4.2 miles away, for anything you forgot. Indianapolis is the closest city, 12 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Forest Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Survey and observation records for Marion County include bluegill, green sunfish, koi and longear sunfish. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Forest Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 75°F and January reads 25°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. That shapes the year on Forest Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the carp, bait a margin spot and sit on it; corn and bread still work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Manor Lake, 1.1 miles away. Check the position at Forest Lake before loading the car.