Monroe Lake

04/17/2026

04/02/2026

The weather is warming and we're prepping for summer!

- Entrance gatehouses at Paynetown and Fairfax SRAs will begin operation on Friday, April 3. During the month of April, entrance fees will be charged on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Entrance fees will be charged daily beginning in May. This is the perfect time to stop by and pick up your Indiana State Parks Annual Entrance Passes and boat launch permits!

- Comfort stations are now open and the water is turned on in the campground at Paynetown SRA. (With the exception of the comfort station at the very back end of the electric section, which is undergoing a plumbing repair and should open soon.)

- Courtesy docks have been placed at the Paynetown and Fairfax SRA boat ramps. Courtesy docks at other ramps will be installed throughout April, dependent on water level.

Please keep in mind that we are a flood-control reservoir, so we often experience elevated water levels during the spring that may impact park facilities. Currently, the water level is at 547.1' elevation, which is 9.1' above normal pool.

- Main boat ramp at Cutright SRA is closed, but the high water boat ramp is open.

- Access to the observation deck at the Stillwater Wetland may be restricted.

- Friendship Road is closed from the hunter check station to Goss Road.

- Cartop SRA is only accessible from the western side (Stipp Road is closed on the east side of the SRA).

- The southern section of McGowan Road (access to Northfork area) is closed.

03/16/2026

UPDATE: Electricity has been fully restored.

The electricity at Paynetown SRA, including the campground, is currently out due to a large tree that is down across the line in a wooded area. The only exception is the main office next to S.R. 446; if you need to stop by to purchase passes or permits, the office does still have electricity.

03/09/2026

Given the amount of rain our area has received in the past week, this shouldn't be a shocker... but the lake level is UP. As of 3:25 p.m. today, we are at 545.59' - which is 7.59' above normal pool.

Property impacts are currently limited to road closures in low-lying areas...
- Southern portion of McGowan Road bordering our Stillwater-Northfork area is closed.
- Friendship Road between the hunter check station and Gross Road is closed.
- Stipp Road on the east side of Cartop SRA is closed.

Please note that another major rain event is expected for Tuesday night through Wednesday, with up to 1.25" of rain expected. This will likely push the lake above 546' by Thursday. If/when this happens, the northern portion of McGowan Road will also close, as will the main boat ramp at Cutright SRA.

Photo: Flooding in a parking area at Paynetown SRA in March 2018, when the lake was at a similar flooding level as today.

02/21/2026

Winter Lovers Open House at Paynetown SRA TOMORROW (Feb. 22) from 12 to 2 p.m.!

Spring is fast approaching but it isn’t here yet, so let’s embrace the last few weeks of winter… DROP BY THE ACTIVITY CENTER (next to the beach) to sip on hot cocoa while you craft a wintery nature-themed collage, snowman magnet, and snowman ornament, decorate colorful winter-themed zentangles (coloring pages also available for young kids), and play “Snowflake Memory!” If weather permits, participants can also complete a short outdoor winter scavenger hunt to win a prize.

Facebook Event page: https://ow.ly/JyxM50Yarol
DNR Calendar listing: https://ow.ly/rgmc50Yarok

02/20/2026

Thanks to Michelle Zimmerman, one of our Adopt-a-Shoreline volunteers, for removing this trash from the lake's emergency spillway on January 6!

Learn more about volunteering in Indiana State Parks at on.IN.gov/INStateParksVolunteer

02/19/2026

Winter Lovers Open House at Paynetown SRA this Sunday (Feb. 22) from 12 to 2 p.m.!

Spring is fast approaching but it isn’t here yet, so let’s embrace the last few weeks of winter… DROP BY THE ACTIVITY CENTER (next to the beach) to sip on hot cocoa while you craft a wintery nature-themed collage, snowman magnet, and snowman ornament, decorate colorful winter-themed zentangles (coloring pages also available for young kids), and play “Snowflake Memory!” If weather permits, participants can also complete a short outdoor winter scavenger hunt to win a prize.

Facebook Event page: https://ow.ly/PwiR50Yaro3
DNR Calendar listing: https://ow.ly/VZQI50Yaro0