Forsythe

Itasca County

Near Cohasset

DOW: 31056000

BluegillExcellent · 80Northern PikeGood · 66WalleyeAverage · 34

A 66-acre lake near Cohasset in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1999.

Fish Species (9)

Bluegill

Excellent · 80

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.6"

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 29.9 per trap net · typical 4.9–49.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill72% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 28%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1999	29.89	7.6"	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 22, 1999	10.25	7.6"	0.33 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 66

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

15.8"

Avg Weight

1.86 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 4.5–11.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike31% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 69%Largest sampled 37"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1999	6.00	15.8"	1.86 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 22, 1999	0.89	15.8"	1.45 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Average · 34

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.0"

Avg Weight

2.09 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1999	0.25	18.0"	2.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 22, 1999	0.11	18.0"	2.87 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 17

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.4"

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 1.4 per trap net · typical 1.7–10.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1999	0.25	6.4"	0.24 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 22, 1999	1.44	6.4"	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Poor · 15

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.4"

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1999	0.11	6.4"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 22, 1999	1.75	6.4"	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Poor · 12

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.0"

Avg Weight

0.44 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1999	0.11	7.0"	0.44 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Poor · 8

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.5"

Avg Weight

0.04 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1999	0.11	9.5"	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 22, 1999	0.25	9.5"	1.98 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Black Bullhead

Good · 59

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1999

Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution

Avg Size

8.4"

Avg Weight

0.48 lbs

Catch rate: 7.8 per trap net · typical 1.1–25.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1999	6.75	8.4"	0.19 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 22, 1999	7.78	8.4"	0.48 lbs	Standard trap nets

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 22, 1999	0.50	9.5"	0.66 lbs	Standard gill nets

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 22, 1999This assessment is the first time Forsythe Lake has been test netted to document fish species composition and abundance. There is no public access for…

This assessment is the first time Forsythe Lake has been test netted to document fish species composition and abundance. There is no public access for Forsythe Lake. The maximum depth from a past survey was listed as 10 ft, however, a deep hole of 17 ft was found during this assessment. Forsythe Lake is generally shallow, with abundant vegetation and soft muck substrate. Bluegill abundance was moderate with a trap-net catch of 29.9/net, which is within the range of similar lakes. Size structure of the bluegill population was excellent with a mean length of 8 inches. Yellow perch abundance was 1.8/gill net, which is below the expected range for similar lakes. No black crappie or rock bass were sampled.Northern pike gill-net catch was 6.0/gill net and was within the expected range of similar lakes. Size structure was generally poor, however, a few fish were greater than 30 inches. Two walleye were sampled in the assessment and are likely the result of a private stocking. Black bullhead abundance was 7.8/trap net. Other fish sampled included pumpkinseed sunfish, largemouth bass, bowfin, and brown bullhead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Forsythe?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Bluegill, Northern Pike, Walleye, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch in Forsythe. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Forsythe?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Forsythe. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Forsythe?

Forsythe has a maximum depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Forsythe last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Forsythe is from 1999. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Forsythe have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Forsythe in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Forsythe?

No — Forsythe has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.