Monroe Lake

Monroe Lake

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Size
11,134ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
No
Species in Monroe Lake
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Crappie
Crappie
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Bluegill
Bluegill
Walleye
Walleye
Perch
Perch
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Spotted bass
Spotted bass

Overview

Indiana's largest lake and home to a trophy bass fishery. Crappie are abundant and attract a lot of attention. A quality catfish population is widely ignored. 10,750 acres

Monroe Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

  • Gizzard shad and threadfin shad can be collected and used as live bait. Cast nets with a maximum mesh size of 2 inches stretch can be used to collect live gizzard shad and threadfin shad. Otherwise, live gizzard shad or threadfin shad collected must be killed immediately upon capture and cannot be possessed alive.

Features

Monroe Lake is the largest lake in Indiana and is popular with midwestern largemouth bass anglers. It is also popular for tournament angling. In recent years, improved hybrid striped bass and walleye fisheries have gained midwestern attention.It was built by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to control flooding from Salt Creek and White River and to provide an important source of water for the city of Bloomington.The lake was stocked with fish in 1963 and opened to anglers in 1964. A large part of the surrounding land is in the Hoosier National Forest. Campgrounds, marinas and excellent day use facilities surround the lake and are maintained by the state of Indiana.Several coves were left uncut when the reservoir was formed; leaving stands of flooded timber and stumps just below the surface. Navigation through some of these areas can be very difficult. These coves are Sugar, Ramp, and Saddle creeks, and the North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork of Salt Creek.Because Monroe receives heavy recreational boating pressure, certain areas of the lake are posted Idle Only. All water east of the 446 Causeway, Allen Creek and Moore Creek have a speed limit of 5 miles per hour.North Fork and Middle Fork have been designated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as waterfowl resting areas, and are closed to all traffic from October 1 through April 15. A bald eagle nesting site, north of the Pinegrove Ramp, is posted as off-limits year-around.Anglers should be aware of special regulations on largemouth bass. Consult the visitor's center for special restrictions.

Forage

Gizzard shad are extremely abundant, but quickly grow beyond the preferred size range of most gamefish. Walleye and hybrid striped bass are important gamefish species in controlling gizzard shad populations. Other forage species include spotfin shiner, golden shiner, logperch, brook silverside and young-of-the-year panfish. Crayfish are also a factor.

Seasonal Movements

Walleye and hybrid striped bass move to the tailwaters below the Monroe Dam in early spring. From early summer to fall, walleye and hybrids inhabit the deeper cooler waters at the lower end of the lake near the dam.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
6-26 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
May
Channel catfish
fish
6-26 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
May
View in the App
Crappie
fish
18-22 in
Length Range
20 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
May
2023
Mar
View in the App
Flathead catfish
fish
6-26 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
May
View in the App
Largemouth bass
fish
18-22 in
Length Range
20 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
May
2023
Mar
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202321
View in the App
Perch
fish
6-26 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
May
View in the App
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Spotted bass
fish
6-26 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
May
View in the App
Striped Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2012
Oct
2015
Oct
2016
Oct
View in the App
Walleye
fish
9-26 in
Length Range
12 in
Length Range
2016
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2016
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2012
Oct
2015
Oct
2016
Oct
View in the App

Nearby Lakes

Siscoe Branch

Size: NA

Fish Species: 7

Boat Launch: No

Allens Creek

Size: NA

Fish Species: 7

Boat Launch: No

Sugar Creek

Size: NA

Fish Species: 7

Boat Launch: No

Ramp Creek

Size: NA

Fish Species: 6

Boat Launch: No

Saddle Creek

Size: NA

Fish Species: 2

Boat Launch: No

Baxter Branch

Size: NA

Fish Species: 5

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Blackwell Lake

Size: 2 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No