Fishing Report For Monroe Lake, IN
By Rick Seaman
December 31, 2024
Fishing Reports
Popular Fish Species In Monroe Lake, IN
Largemouth Bass

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

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

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, 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.
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Click here for fishing boat rentals available at this lake.
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Click here for boat ramps available at this lake.
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 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
Lake Monroe Boat Rental
4855 S State Road 446
Bloomington, IN 47401
812 837-9909
Fishing lakes in each state.
123124
Monroe Lake in Indiana.
INDIANA


Crappie, bass and catfish fishing in central IN.