Monroe Lake

Monroe Lake 

Exploring Indiana's Historic Sites,
Markers & Museums
South Central Edition

Monroe Lake
Monroe Lake, at 10,750 acres, is the largest lake in Indiana. The lake is southwest of Brown County State Park, southeast from Bloomington and accessible from Interstate 69 on Indiana State Road 37. Boaters can enjoy fishing, waterskiing or just relaxing on the lake. Campers can stay at any of the Paynetown State Recreational Area. Visitors will also find beaches, hiking, hunting and picnicking opportunities at Lake Monroe.
Beaches
Beach swimming is available during open hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Beach bums will find two beaches. They are in the Paynetown and Fairfax recreation areas. The bathhouses at both locations provide showers, dressing rooms, restrooms, and food concessions for visitors to the lake.
Hunting 
All hunters are required to register at check-in stations daily. Hunting in Waterfowl Resting Areas is by special permit only. Deer, grouse, turkey, squirrels, doves and rabbits are the primary game species. Excellent waterfowl hunting is available during the season. Waterfowl hunting information is available at Paynetown Visitor's Center.
Interpretive Naturalist Services (Seasonal)
Explore the world of natural resources while enjoying interpretive and recreational programs. Program schedules are available at Interpretive Services.
Boating / nine Launch Ramps
Boaters will find ramps at nine locations around the lake. The boat launch ramps are not marked on the map but are listed under the facilities.
Fishing / Ice Fishing
The lake has bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, walleye and hybrid stripers. Anglers need an Indiana State Fishing License. Visitors may purchase these at the Park Office. There are fishing piers located at various places on the lake.

Monroe Lake Hiking Trail

Hiking 
Hikers will find easy to moderate marked trails open for hiking all year. Off-road uses of vehicles, bicycles and horses are not permitted.
Description of Hiking Trails
Bluebird Trail (1.25 miles) Moderate—this is a forest and field trail in Paynetown State Recreation Area.
Tree Trek Trail (0.5 mile) Easy—this is a forest Ecosystem interpretive trail in Paynetown State Recreation Area.
Turkey Trot Trail (1.75 miles) Moderate
There is a Hike- In/Boat-In Camping Area in Allen’s Creek State Recreation Area.
Whitetail Trail (1 mile) Moderate—this trail provides access trail for walk-in visitors at Paynetown State Recreation Area.

Picnicking / Shelter house - Monroe Lake

Picnicking / Shelter house 
Picnickers can find lakeside picnic areas and shelters in several areas. Most of these areas have tables, grills, toilet facilities, a playfield and shelter. Reservations for shelters are available through the Central Reservation System.
Boat Rental - Fishing Boats, Pontoons
Lake Monroe Boat Rental
Pleasure Craft Marina
Boat owners will find seasonal mooring on docks or buoys. These mooring docks are at Paynetown, Moore’s Creek, Cutright and the Fairfax Recreation areas. Other services provided at Fairfax, Cutright and Paynetown include fuel, food and rental boats. Paynetown and Fairfax provide pump-out stations.
Camping
The campground is located at the Paynetown State Recreational Area. Campers will find 312 campsites consisting of 222 AAA sites. They have electricity, modern restrooms showers, picnic table and grills. There are also ninety non-electric sites.
Electric / 226 sites
Non-electric / 94 sites
Camp Store (Seasonal)
Dumping Station
Fourwinds Resort and Marina
Fourwinds Resort and Marina is located on the shores of picturesque Lake Monroe. It is just west of Fairfax State Recreation Area. The Fourwinds Resort & Marina has tennis courts, miniature golf, boat ramps, indoor/outdoor pool and a marina. There is no hiking at Fairfax but you may fish and walk the grounds. The resort offers a variety of amenities, including:
Indoor/Outdoor Heated Pool
Boat Rentals
Private Beach
Fitness Center
Tennis Courts
Mini-Golf
Basketball
Volleyball
Board Games
Marina
Fishing
Hiking & Walking trails
Hunting
Nearby 6,700 yard, par 71-championship golf
Weekend entertainment during summer months
A complete fleet of watercraft rentals from jet skis to party boats,
The Windjammer Grill
Tradewinds Restaurant
Lakeside beach
Mini-golf
Regularly scheduled live entertainment
Scenic brick paths bordering the lake
Fourwinds Resort and Marina
9301 Fairfax Road
Bloomington IN 47401
812-824-2628
http://www.fourwindsresort.com/

Monroe Lake 

Fairfax State Recreational Area
Fairfax includes the following features:
Beach and Bathhouse
Boat Launch
Boat Rental
Lodging
Marina and Fuel
Picnicking
Playground
Restrooms
Showers
Store
Drinking Water
Fairfax State Recreational Area
9301 South Fairfax Road
Bloomington, IN 47401
Phone: (812) 837-9546

Salt Creek SRA
Boat Launch
Restrooms

Pine Grove State Recreation Area
Pine Grove Road
Bloomington IN
Pine Grove State Recreation Area is a great place for birding. Warblers, shore birds, vireos, waterfowl and even eagles may be spotted here.

Crooked Creek State Recreational Area
Crooked Creek Road/Dewar Ridge Road
 Boat Launch
Restrooms

Paynetown State Recreational Area
Paynetown is located off Highway 446. This state operated area on the northeast side of Lake Monroe has electric and non-electric camping. Visitors will also find a boat rental service, a marina with gas sales and a camp store. The DNR-staffed Interpretive Center is located near the park entrance. Entrance fee or state park pass required.
Bloomington IN 47401
(812) 837-9546 (812) 837-9967
(Accessible)
Beach w/Bathhouse
Boat Launch
Boat Rental
Camping
Hiking Trails
Interpretive Naturalist
Marina -• Fuel
Picnicking
Playground
Restrooms
Showers
Store
Visitors - Nature Center
Drinking Water
Hiking
Three short trails
Nature Trail
Whitetail Trail (1 mile) Moderate—this is an access trail for walk-in visitors at Paynetown State Recreation Area.
Blue Bird Trail
Forest and Field Trail
1.25 miles - Moderate
Tree Trek Trail
Forest Ecosystem Interpretive Trail
0.5 mile-Easy

Waterfork Waterfowl Nesting Area
South Axsom Branch Road
From Indiana State Road 46 turn south on Steele Road, pass the TC Steele home. Turn right on Gilmore Ridge Road. Turn left on Deckard Ridge Road. Left turn on South Axsom Branch Road. The area is closed from October 1 to April 1.

Northfork Waterfowl Resting Area
McGowan Road
The area is closed from October 1 to April 1.
From Bloomington, go east on State Road 46 to Kent Road. Go west from Brown County State Park, through Nashville. This is a gravel road just before the bridge over Salt Creek. Turn right onto Kent Road and follow it across a bridge to McGowan Road. Turn right onto McGowan Road and follow to the Stillwater marsh overlook and the North Fork area.
Open October 15 through April 15; the rest of the year there are viewing stations to watch waterfowl. Bald eagles have been sighted.
Parts of the NorthFork complex are closed from October 15 through April 15. Hunting is permitted in the Stillwater/North Fork area. This area is excellent for waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and wading birds.

Stillwater Marsh
McGowan Road
To get to Stillwater Marsh from Bloomington, go east from Bloomington on State Road 46 to Kent Road. Go west from Brown County State Park through Nashville. This is a gravel road just before the bridge over Salt Creek. Turn right onto Kent Road and follow it across a bridge to McGowan Road. Turn right onto McGowan Road and follow to the Stillwater marsh overlook and the North Fork area.
Stillwater Marsh is open October 15 through April 15; the rest of the year, there are viewing stations to watch waterfowl. There have been bald eagles sightings here, also.
During the winter and early spring, DNR staff pumps water into Stillwater from the north fork of Salt Creek. This creates an important resting area for waterfowl. In mid-April, they drain the marsh and sow wildlife food crops. The result is a rich habitat area for animals of all types.
Parts of the NorthFork complex are closed from October 15 through April 15. Hunting is permitted in the Stillwater/North Fork area. This area is excellent for waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and wading birds. Birding enthusiasts can expect to find the following birds at Stillwater Marsh:
Swans
Geese
Grebes
Ducks
Flycatchers
Olive-sided
Yellow-bellied Flycatchers
Acadian Flycatchers
Vireos
Veery Thrush
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Wood Thrush
Cerulean Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Bald Eagles
Northern Harriers

Southfork Marshes
Blue Creek Road
The Southfork Marshes are on the eastern end of Lake Monroe. The waters of Lake Monroe overflowing the banks of Sand Creek due to the dam form them.

Monroe Lake 
4850 South State Road 446
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 837-9546