Visit Bloomington Lake Guide

LAKE GUIDE

Monroe County offers three lakes, each distinct in its offerings and experiences.

Griffy Lake is convenient and quiet, a quick reprieve from the bustle of campus and downtown. Lake Lemon is lined with homes and guesthouses, a family-friendly vacation spot. Monroe Lake is massive, with plenty of space for fast boating and quiet fishing.

Each destination offers a variety of activities on and around the water—use this guide to plan your perfect lake day in Monroe County.

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CONTENTS L I F E O N T H E WAT E R

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GRIFFY LAKE

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LAKE LEMON

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MONROE LAKE

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AC C O M M O DAT I O N S

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T H E U LT I M AT E LA K E DAY BUCKET LIST

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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

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L I F E O N T H E WAT E R

Monroe County offers three lakes, each boasting its own unique, fun-filled adventure. From boating and beaching to fishing and camping, Monroe Lake, Lake Lemon, and Griffy Lake offer it all — and then some.

Boating is a great way to spend a day on the lake in Bloomington. Head out to Lake Monroe Boat Rental at Paynetown State Recreation Area (SRA), Paradise Boat Rentals at Fairfax SRA, or Two Herons Marina at Cutright SRA to rent a pontoon, jet ski, paddleboard, canoe, kayak, or other watercraft.

If you’re looking for solely non-motorized boating, head over to Griffy Lake. Smaller than Monroe Lake but still a great choice for water sports, this lake offers a quieter alternative for recreation. The Griffy Lake Boathouse offers rental options for paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats.

If you’d rather dip your toes in the water and lay under the sun in the sand, head to Riddle Point Park at Lake Lemon.

You’ll find the beach at the end of a beautiful drive down Tunnel Road—enjoy a swim surrounded by lush trees & blue water, and pack a picnic to feast on from a blanket in the sand.

Avid anglers will appreciate Monroe Lake’s nearly 11,000 acres, home to populations of bluegill, largemouth & yellow 4

bass, walleye, black & white crappie, channel & flathead catfish, and bullhead & hybrid stripers. Lake Lemon is known as one of Indiana’s most popular and productive fishing areas, stocked with largemouth & yellow bass, channel & flathead catfish, bluegill, and crappie.

Spending a day on the water in Bloomington doesn’t mean you have to spend a day in the water. The beautiful lakes around Monroe County are also home to ample hiking, with popular paved & rugged trails at both Griffy Lake and Monroe Lake, offering a hiking experience for everyone to enjoy.

If you want to extend your stay on your waterfront of choice, Bloomington offers plenty of camping and lakeside-lodging options. You’ll find primitive campsites at Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Hardin Ridge Recreation Area, and Paynetown SRA. Lake Monroe Village and Jellystone Park both offer RV sites and cabins for a slightly-more-elevated stay in nature.

For more of a “glamping” experience, consider a stay at the Fourwinds Lakeside Inn & Marina. The Fourwinds offers a stay right on the shores of Monroe Lake with access to the Windjammer Bar & Grill, marina, heated pools, mini-golf, and the Fairfax State Recreation Area beach.

The best part about staying close to the water? Getting up the next morning and finding a new day’s adventure, right past your doorstep.

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GRIFFY LAKE

This peaceful, 109-acre lake is surrounded by over 1,200 acres of nature preserve, providing some of Bloomington’s best fishing, hiking, and non-motorized boating. Located just a few minutes from downtown, Griffy Lake is one of the city’s most impressive hidden gems.

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BOATING

To protect the lake and nature preserve, only non-motorized boats and boats with electric trolling motors are allowed. The Griffy Lake Boathouse offers rental options for paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. Visitors can also launch their own non-motorized watercrafts at the lake’s boat ramp.

A daily launch fee applies.

SWIMMING

Swimming is not permitted at Griffy Lake—head to one of the beaches at Monroe Lake or Lake Lemon instead!

FISHING

Stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish, Griffy Lake is a great place for a relaxed fishing expedition. Anglers are welcome to cast a line from any shore or from a non-motorized boat year-round.

TR AILS

Eight trails surround Griffy Lake, ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty. Many of the trails are one mile or less, which is great for children, dogs, and beginner hikers.

GRIFFY LAKE NATURE PRESERVE

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GRIFFY LAKE

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LAKE LEMON

This lush, 1,650-acre lake is located just 10 miles northeast of Bloomington in Unionville, a neighboring Monroe County town.

Lake Lemon is a fantastic place for boating, water sports, and fishing. Home to Indiana University’s Rowing Team practices and known as one of the state’s most productive fishing lakes, Lake Lemon’s mighty reputation does not disappoint.

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BOATING

Lake Lemon does not offer watercraft rentals, but you can launch your own motorized or non-motorized watercraft at the lake’s Riddle Point Park.

SWIMMING

Riddle Point Park offers a small public swimming beach with a family-friendly atmosphere.

FISHING

Lake Lemon is a great fishing lake, with abundant species of largemouth & yellow bass, channel & flathead catfish, bluegill, and crappie. Cast a line from your boat or anywhere along the nearly 25 miles of shore.

TR AILS

Riddle Point Park offers a 0.5-mile trail that is an easy hike and loops through wooded areas to a scenic overlook of Lake Lemon.

RIDDLE POINT PARK

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LAKE LEMON

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MONROE LAKE

Monroe Lake is Indiana’s largest body of water, with 10,750 acres of water surface.

Located about 10 miles southeast of Bloomington, the massive lake features rolling, wooded hills and a scenic, stone-bluffed shoreline. With ample options for water sports, pontooning, beaching, fishing, hiking, and more, Monroe Lake offers the ultimate lake day adventure.

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BOATING

Launch your own watercraft at one of Monroe Lake’s nine launch ramps, or rent a jet-ski, pontoon, ski boat, fishing boat, paddleboard, canoe, or kayak from one of the following locations: Lake Monroe Boat Rental — Paynetown SRA 812-837-9909 • lakemonroeboatrental.com Paradise Boat Rentals — Fairfax SRA 812-824-2628 • rentals.fourwindsrental.com Two Herons Marina — Cutright SRA 812-837-9394 • twoheronsmarina.com

SWIMMING

Monroe Lake offers three public beaches, located at the Fairfax SRA, Paynetown SRA, and Hardin Ridge Recreation Area.

FISHING

Bluegill, largemouth & yellow bass, walleye, black & white crappie, channel & flathead catfish, and bullhead & hybrid stripers are what you can expect to catch at this well-stocked lake.

Fishing is allowed year-round.

TR AILS

Monroe Lake offers 11 trails around the perimeter of the lake, ranging from just under one mile to just over six miles, all easy or moderate difficulty.

Neighboring Charles C. Deam Wilderness also offers over 35 miles of easy & moderate trails for those who want to explore the lake’s surrounding grounds to the fullest.

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MONROE LAKE

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A C C O M M O D AT I O N S

LAKE LEMON

There are several privately owned guesthouses available for rent on and near Lake Lemon. Go to visitbloomington.com to check out more options.

Antler Log Cabins 812-339-6547 • antlerlogcabins.com Elm House 812-340-0513 • elmhouseindiana.com Lake Lemon Guesthouses 812-336-4050 • lakelemonguesthouses.com Red Rabbit Inn 812-330-1216 • redrabbitinn.com

MONROE LAKE

There are multiple lodging options in the Monroe Lake area, from lakeside resorts to primitive camping deep in the forest. Listed below are resort, cabin, and camping options, but you can also contact the Bloomington Visitors Center for more lodging options.

A Five Star Cabin 812-988-6429 • browncountylogcabins.com Eagle Pointe Golf Resort 812-824-4040 • eaglepointe.com

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Fourwinds Lakeside Inn & Marina 812-824-2628 • fourwindsresort.com Jellystone Park at Lake Monroe 812-824-3322 • lakemonroejellystone.com Lake Monroe Village 812-824-2267 • lakemonroevillage.com Camping and Campgrounds There are numerous places for camping around Monroe Lake in addition to those already listed. Hardin Ridge and Paynetown offer both primitive and RV camping sites; you can make reservations by calling 866-622-6746.

The Hoosier National Forest allows primitive camping throughout the forest, and RV camping is available at the Blackwell Horse Camp. You can get updated site accessibility information by calling the Forest’s office at 812-275-5987. Please observe camping rules, regulations, and etiquette outlined by IDNR and Hoosier National Forest.

Scan here for a complete list of lodging options in Monroe County.

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T H E U LT I M AT E L A K E D AY BUCKET LIST

Whether you love a good bucket list or you’re simply looking for ideas for things to do at Monroe County’s lakes, this lake day bucket list is sure to spark some fun during your waterfront stay: GRIFFY LAKE • Grab a friend and cast a line from a canoe • Explore Griffy Lake’s nature preserve on the 3.7-mile South Shore Trail • Try something new and rent a stand-up paddleboard • Go on a trail tour led by a naturalist guide • Soak up the sun as you float along in a kayak

LAKE LEMON • Have a picnic at Riddle Point Park • See how many fish you can catch at Monroe County’s most productive lake • Build a sandcastle on the Riddle Point Park beach • Hike the 0.5-mile Tulip Trace Nature Trail and admire the scenic overlook of Lake Lemon • Enjoy a catfish dinner at the Port Hole Bar & Grill

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MONROE LAKE • Rent a double-decker pontoon with friends & family • Kayak the lake during sunrise or sunset • Cruise the lake’s coves in a fishing boat to find the best spots to cast a line • Speed across the water on a jet-ski • Climb the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower at the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area

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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y Home to a variety of wildlife, thriving forests, and fond memories for many Hoosiers, Monroe County’s lakes are more than just bodies of water—and land stewardship is key to keeping these beautiful lakes accessible for all to enjoy. Whether you’re visiting for a day on the water or a weekend in the woods, please practice the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and respect the land around you.

• Plan Ahead and Prepare • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces • Dispose of Waste Properly • Leave What You Find • Minimize Campfire Impacts • Respect Wildlife • Be Considerate of Other Visitors

© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.

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