Things to Do in Forest Lake, MN: Boat, Fish, Swim & Explore
Minnesota has no shortage of lake destinations, but if you are looking to enjoy a fun-filled lake day close to the Twin Cities, you can’t go wrong with Forest Lake, Minnesota. Packed with fun for families, friend groups, anglers and anyone who wants a relaxing day out-of-doors, there are plenty of things to do in Forest Lake, MN to satisfy everyone. From boating, fishing, swimming and recreational activities, Forest Lake is ideal for both half-day and full-day outings. Your Boat Club (YBC), with its marina at Lakeside Park can make planning your lake getaway hassle free.
Let’s take a look at all the Forest Lake activities you can enjoy, including:
Boating
Fishing
Beach time
Hiking and biking trails
Family-friendly dining and shopping
Local-centered events
Rent a Boat and Explore Forest Lake from the Water
Located directly on Forest Lake, as its name suggests, just 30 miles northeast of downtown St. Paul, this area is best understood from the water, making boating on Forest Lake a must. The lake covers 2,270 acres and is divided into three connected water basins. With a boat, you can cruise between these distinct basins to enjoy open-water views and create your own day out instead of staying in one spot.
Cruising with family or friends while exploring the three connected lakes is an enjoyable experience in and of itself, and YBC makes it refreshingly accessible from our Forest Lake marina. Forest Lake pontoon rentals from YBC make relaxing on the lake an easy go-to activity.
Make It Easy with Your Boat Club Forest Lake
As a boat rental near St. Paul, MN, YBC’s Forest Lake location makes for an easy weekend getaway from the Twin Cities.Renting a boat on Forest Lake through YBC is a hassle-free way to explore the area. YBC offers both daily and multi-day boat rentals withmembership options. You can check-in at the blue boat house, located at 97 NE 1st Street in Lakeside Park and the marina has available gas with parking available in the park’s city lot.
What to Pack for a Forest Lake Boat Day
Getting ready for your Forest Lake day trip takes a little planning, but your lake guide checklist can help get you going.
Not-to-forget items should include:
A valid driver’s license
Sun protection, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats
Towels and beachwear
An ice cooler with snacks and drinks
A light jacket or sweatshirt
Phone charger or waterproof case
Fishing gear, if applicable
Life jackets and safety gear for all adults and kids
Go Fishing on Forest Lake
Forest Lake fishing is one of the strongest reasons to visit the area as it offers up an array of fishing opportunities.
What Fish Can You Catch on Forest Lake?
Forest Lake is a popular fishing lake for anglers looking for largemouth bass and walleye. There is also growing interest in muskellunge or musky fishing in the area. For the casual angler, an early morning outing can bring a day’s catch, leaving plenty of time for other summer activities as well.
There are a few things to plan around when fishing near Forest Lake, such as knowing where the weedy areas are located. The lake is also not only popular for fishing, but for recreational boat activities too, so be prepared by knowing where recreational boat traffic is centered, so you can make the most of your fishing time.
Stop for Bait Before You Launch
If you are looking for bait or expert advice about area fishing, before setting out, Mike’s Bait on 8 (referring to Highway 8, which brings you into town) is a well-known local establishment for outdoor gear and fishing supplies. It is a go-to stop for anglers in the area.
Check Current Fishing Rules Before You Go
Before heading out on your fishing adventure, it is recommended by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that you check regulations before fishing. Lake rules and seasonal regulations can change, so it is better to understand them before you go.
Your “Before You Fish” checklist should include:
Checking your license
Reviewing current regulations
Bringing the right tackle
Respecting other boaters
Knowing how to clean, drain, and dispose after leaving the water
Swim, Float, and Relax Near Lakeside Park
There are plenty of Forest Lake family activities to take in near Lakeside Park, including swimming, floating and just plain relaxing. The docks and beaches available in the park make it easy to access the lake and all it has to offer.
Make Forest Lake Beach Part of the Day
Forest Lake Beach and Lakeside Park are easy to take in and enjoy either before or after your boat rental. This convenient marina location can make boating and beach time with kids a part of your itinerary. You can also relax between boat outings, while staying close to downtown Forest Lake. The set-up makes it suitable to pair swimming with boating, snacks, and a picnic.
Plan a Swim Stop from the Boat
Swimming from your boat is also an option as long as you follow safety precautions. It is dangerous to swim near a moving or running boat and can result in injury or death. So, precautions are necessary, but the activity is enjoyable if done properly.
Make sure to anchor away from main boating traffic and keep swimmers near your boat. It is also best to use life jackets for kids or weaker swimmers while enjoying a swim in the middle of the lake. Also, watch the wind and avoid boat drifting.
Walk, Bike, or Ride the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail
Outside of boating, there is also the Harwood Creek Regional Trail that runs along US Highway 61 in rural Washington County that offers up more outdoor fun near Forest Lake.
Add a Trail Stop to Your Forest Lake Itinerary
This almost 10-mile paved recreational trail runs from Hugo, MN to Forest Lake and is suitable for biking, walking, running and in-line skating. There is also a turf trail for horseback riding. In the winter, the turf trail is also fit for snowmobiling, where allowed.
Why It Works Well Before or After Boating
Adding a trail visit to your Forest Lake day trip is a fun way to explore the area in and out of the water. It is easy enough to take in a morning trail ride along with an afternoon boat rental. You can also add a casual walk near town into your boat rental or a family bike ride before dinner after exploring water activities.
And if you visit the area outside of summer, you will find plenty of other activities on or near the trail to explore when boating is out of season.
The proximity and variety of available activities in this picturesque area makes it ideal for exploring and combining out of water activities with boating. All in all, there is just plenty to do.
Arts in the Park and Farmers Market
In addition to the trail, there are plenty of local Forest Lake events to check out while you explore the area, but one highlight is easily the Arts in the Park summer schedule, which runs every Tuesday from mid-June through the end of August. Run by the local parks and recreation department, the weekly events feature a variety of musical talents and family activities.
The Forest Lake Parks and Recreation Department also supports a weekly farmers market every Saturday from 8AM to Noon from mid-June through mid-October. The market features vendors selling local fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and more.
Winter Activities in Forest Lake
Lake fun in Minnesota is seen as a way of life during the summer season, but when winter arrives, the fun does not stop. It just shifts. Forest Lake offers visitors year-round fun with winter activities that include:
Ice fishing on the frozen lake
Snowmobiling near trail corridors (as mentioned above)
Winter walks
Local holiday events
Skating on outdoor ice rinks maintained by the Public Works Department
Enjoy Forest Lake on the Fourth of July
As in many towns with a thriving recreational center, Forest Lake hosts a multi-day Fourth of July celebration with a parade, carnival, live music, and fireworks over Forest Lake. What a great way to combine Independence Day activities with lake-related fun.
Take the Family to Nearby Parks and Local Attractions
Forest Lake is an ideal destination for family-friendly fun and activities.
Lakeside Park for an Easy Family Base
The location of the aptly named Lakeside Park makes it a natural hub for your family to enjoy their stay in the area. It connects the lake, beach, marina, and downtown in one accessible place. You can start and end your day from this point, and it offers a good meeting place for groups. It is also an easy option for families with differing activity interests.
Visit The Berry Patch or Castlewood Golf Course
There are other things to do near Forest Lake that can only make exploring the area an even fuller experience.
The Berry Patch is a nearby pick-your-own berry and fruit farm that is considered to be a family summer tradition for those in the area. As a farm, what is available for picking varies seasonally, but the farm is open during the summer and early fall Monday through Saturday from about 8AM to noon. Checking their Facebook page is recommended before going as it has the most up-to-date information on what is available. Also, leave your pets at home. They do not allow them.
Castlewood Golf Course is a nearby golf course option for those seeking a round or two while exploring the area. It is a public course that is suitable for both beginners and seasoned players alike. You can book a tee time on their website.
Add Shopping or Dining Downtown
With the proximity of Lakeside Park to downtown Forest Lake, it is easy to round out your day after boating or fishing with an excursion into the heart of the town, which offers a range of dining options and unique, family-friendly shops.
Sample Forest Lake Day Trip Itineraries
Half-Day Lake Day
For a half-day excursion, whether in the morning or afternoon, you can start by arriving at Lakeside Park and checking in for your boat rental. Then you can cruise through the three lake basins, stop for a swim or a float and return before lunch or dusk to grab food nearby.
Full Family Day
For a full family day in Forest Lake start with a morning trail walk or bike ride and then book a midday boat rental, allowing you to explore the lake and then end up with afternoon beach time and an early dinner downtown. In the evenings, you can take in the Arts in the Park events.
Fishing-Focused Day
For a fishing itinerary start by stopping for bait and plan to launch your fishing boat early to fish quieter stretches before peak recreational traffic starts. Then, take a midday break and then join in on cruising the lake or swimming later in the day.
Forest Lake Boating Tips Before You Go
Before you set out, follow a few simple Forest Lake boating tips to make the most of your outing.
Know the Lake’s Layout
Forest Lake has three connected lake basins, which makes for plenty to explore and enjoy, but it’s also recommended that you take it slowly through marked channels and pay attention to traffic. This awareness can help avoid potential hazards.
Follow Clean, Drain, Dispose Practices
Minnesota is known for its recreational lakes, and as such, protecting those lakes from invasive species is important for maintaining this invaluable natural resource. Minnesota’s DNR lists aquatic invasive species in Forest Lake, including Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, and zebra mussels. The DNR advises removing visible plants and draining water from boats and equipment before leaving the lake to avoid the spread of these destructive species. With everyone doing their part, Minnesota lakes will be there to enjoy for generations to come.
Watch the Weather and Return on Time
When it comes to boating, enjoyment is at its fullest when it is also at its safest. Remember to check the forecast before you set out. No one wants to be caught in a storm out on the lake. Windy conditions can be equally undesirable. Always follow the boating rules to not only ensure your good time, but others as well. Respect no-wake areas, keep your life jackets accessible, and return before dusk. And when it comes to children and boating, keep kids supervised around docks and water. Accidents can happen quickly and being safe rather than sorry is always a good policy.
Experience Forest Lake with Your Boat Club
Your Boat Club makes it easy to get on the water without owning a boat and if you are looking for a getaway close to the Twin Cities there are plenty of things to do in Forest Lake, MN to make that getaway memorable. Book ahead with Your Boat Club atour Forest Lake location and get ready to make the most of your summer weekends.
