Fishing Report

[Kevin]

    Lake Monroe is a 10,750 acre flood control reservoir located in Brown and Monroe counties southeast of Bloomington. It is the largest lake in the state with recreational activities such as boating and fishing. Fishing consists primarily of largemouth bass and panfish, such as bluegill and yellow perch. Other angling opportunities include white crappie, hybrid striped bass and yellow perch, as well as channel and flathead catfish. Lake Monroe has also become one of the best walleye fisheries in Indiana.

    Bluegill

        Description:

            Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

        Bait: small jigs/crickets
        Depth: shallow - 10feet

        Comments about fish:

            Bluegill fishing always seems best around shallow structure. Also look along sumerged creek beds.

    Hybrid striped bass

        Description:

            These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The hybrid striped bass has two tooth patches and the back of the tongue are joined. The first stripe below the lateral line complete to the tail and the stripes above the lateral line are usually broken.

        Bait: live
        Depth: surface to 20feet

        Comments about fish:

            Slow trolling live bait seems to produce the most fish. Look for schools of bait fish. Fish in the 8 - 10 foot range.

    Largemouth bass

        Description:

            Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.

        Bait: N/A
        Depth: N/A

        Comments about fish:

            Cooler water temps. have moved fish back into shore structure.

    Walleye

        Description:

            Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.

        Bait: n/a
        Depth: n/a

        Comments about fish:

            Trolling mid range cranks along rip rap, in Moores Creek, and from Fairfax beach area to Ramp Creek are good areas.

    White crappie

        Description:

            Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.

        Bait: jigs and minnows
        Depth: shallow to 8 feet

        Comments about fish:

            Crappie are located around almost any structure.

Comments about body of water:

    All fishing has improved with the cooling water. Water temp is @ 68 - 71. Pool evevation is 537.6. Those wishing to report specifics about their fishing experience and help keep Fishing Reports current may do so by calling the Lake Monroe Office at (812) 837-9546.