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Fishing Report For Monroe Lake, IN

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By Rick Seaman

December 31, 2024

Fishing Monroe Lake, Indiana

Fishing Reports

Popular Fish Species In Monroe Lake, IN


Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Rapala DT-6 Crankbait

Monroe Lake is well-known as an quality largemouth bass fishery. Anglers concentrating on the area from Cutright State Recreation Area, both the to Pine Grove area and the Crooked Creek State Recreation Area are reporting good catches of bass. Spinnerbaits and mid-range crankbaits, like the Rapala DT-6, are catching some quality bass.


Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

CJs Punch Bait

The main body of the lake, from Paynetown State Recreation Area to the Monroe Lake Dam is a consistent producer for channel cats. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig setup. C.J.'s Punch Bait is available at Bass Pro Shops.


White Crappie

Fishing For White Crappie

Uncle Buck's Panfish Creatures Curly Tail Minnow Rigged

Crappie fishing reports have been quite good for anglers fishing brushy shores around the Cutright State Recreation Area, the Pine Grove area and the Crooked Creek State Recreation Area. Spring is the premiere time to be on the water as crappie move into shallow coves to spawn. Docks, brush, wood, vegetation are a good place to cast small crappie jigs or live minnows. Light tackle with 4-pound line is ideal. Locals report good success using fish finders to locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range.


Lake Monroe Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie, walleye and bluegill at Monroe Lake in Indiana.

Monroe Lake Reports

Monroe Lake, situated in south-central Indiana, is a premier destination for fishing enthusiasts seeking a memorable angling experience. With its expansive size of over 10,000 acres, Monroe Lake offers abundant fishing opportunities.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Monroe

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Largemouth BassChannel CatfishWhite CrappieWalleyeBluegill

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Lake Monroe Boat Rental
Rentals: Fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, runabouts and pontoons
812 837-9909

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Allens Creek State Recreation Area Boat Ramp
Located in mid lake, south side of the lake, off E Allens Creek Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Cutright Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, south side, just east of the Highway 446 Bridge, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Fairfax Boat Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off S Fairfax Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Hardin Ridge Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, south side, off Harlin Ridge Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Moores Creek State Recreation Area
Located mid lake, northwest side of the lake, off S Shields Ridge Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Paynetown Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, north side, off Paynetown Road, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with docks and plenty of paved parking.

Pine Grove Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, north side, off E Pine Grove Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with limited, gravel parking.

Salt Creek Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, at the east end of the dam, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Fishing Guides On Monroe Lake

Tom's Guide Service - crappies - white perch - bass

Skamaniac Charters, Fishing Guides - Striped Bass - Wipers

Click here for a Indiana Fishing License.

Monroe Lake, IN Map - Fishing & Camping Areas


Rick Seaman

Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired bass tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".


Contact Information

Monroe Lake

Monroe Lake
Lake Monroe Boat Rental
4855 S State Road 446
Bloomington, IN 47401
812 837-9909

 

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