Monroe Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Monroe County, Indiana. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 9 documented fish species including Bluegill, Carp, and Catfish. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 6 other monitored lakes in Monroe County, Monroe Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Indiana DNR, last sampled 2023-07-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 5.7 ft. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.7 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Monroe Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Monroe Lake
Recreation & Access
Current Conditions
Latest reading Jul 6, 2026, 4:25 AM from USGS gauge 03372400. See live data ↗ — readings update every 15–60 minutes; this page refreshes on each build.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 7 lakes in Monroe County
Nearby Lakes in Monroe County
Explore Monroe Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Indiana
Fish species and best lakes in Monroe County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Indiana's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Indiana Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Indiana
Eutrophic Lakes in Indiana
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
10 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Monroe Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 3 facilities have a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Paynetown Sra WwtpBloomington · 1.8 mi away · NPDES IN0030163Recent violation
- Monroe County WtpBloomington · 2 mi away · NPDES IN0060810Recent violation
- Salt Creek Services IncMonroe County · 3.8 mi away · NPDES IN0043699Recent violation
- Ransburg Scout ReservationBloomington · 0.4 mi away · NPDES IN0045411
- Home Bank Of SaratogaPlainfield · 1 mi away · NPDES INR10M994
- South Central Indiana Rsd Stinesville WwtpStinesville · 1.4 mi away · NPDES IN0050105
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2023-07-26
Monitoring stations: 1