Lake Lemon sits about 10 miles northeast of Bloomington, near Unionville. Year-round homes and weekend cabins share the same shoreline. It’s one of the most welcoming lakes around, tucked into the hills with shoreline in both Monroe and Brown counties. Living here means hearing and seeing nature every single day.
Looking for a lake home now? See Lake Lemon real estate, buying a lake home and Unionville.
A year at Lake Lemon
Honestly, every season is my favorite on the lake. Summer brings boats, swimmers and the Conservancy’s fireworks show, which I’ll happily call the best one in town. Fall and winter bring a quieter kind of beauty, when the hills turn color and the water goes still. The Conservancy also lowers the lake from time to time for dock and shoreline work, so check the Lake Lemon Conservancy District for drawdown dates.
Direct water access from your home at Lake Lemon.
Boating, fishing and the water
Lake Lemon has a reputation as one of the best fishing lakes in Indiana, and it’s one of the finest ski lakes around. Because it’s mainly a residents’ lake, it’s less crowded, and that means smoother water. The marina offers boat storage, a small shop with supplies and gas, and a little restaurant, and in summer it hosts bands and events. Don’t miss Rock the Dock, when a DJ performs on the lake while boaters tie up, swim and listen together. After a day on the water, the Porthole Inn is a great little lakeside pub for pizza and drinks during the summer. For rules on boats, docks and the shoreline, check with the Lake Lemon Conservancy District.
Boats and covered docks at a Lake Lemon marina.
Riddle Point Park
Riddle Point is one of the main places to launch your boat. It also has a small swimming beach and a shelter house, so it’s an easy spot for a summer afternoon on the water even if you don’t live on it.
The beach at Riddle Point.
Wildlife and quieter corners
Some of my favorite moments on the lake happen on a kayak or paddleboard. You can paddle up the canals near the Little Africa bird sanctuary and see so many birds. Spotting a bald eagle is a pretty common experience here, along with egrets, swans and more. Some mornings you can sit by the water and watch the IU rowing team practice. They train and race right here on Lake Lemon.
A railroad trestle on the shallows at Lake Lemon.
Year-round or weekend: two ways to own at Lake Lemon
The right choice comes down to how you want to spend your days. Are you looking for an everyday refuge to come home to? Or a fun, easygoing place to escape to every weekend? Lake Lemon works beautifully either way. It’s close to Bloomington’s restaurants, sports and shopping, and it’s usually about an hour’s drive from Indianapolis.
Know your dock rights before you buy
Before you buy any home on Lake Lemon, find out whether it has deeded waterfront or whether its lake access is leased through the Lake Lemon Conservancy District. Leased dock space on Lake Lemon is very limited, so it’s essential to know exactly what your property has rights to, and where, before you make an offer. I check this on every lake home we look at together.
Around the lake
Riddle Point
A boat launch, a small swimming beach and a shelter house on the lake.
Year-round homes
Year-round homes range from newer construction to older homes that have been beautifully updated.
Weekend cabins
Some cabins have stood with their original owners for years and are ready for updating, a blank canvas, ready for your ideas.
Getting to Bloomington and everyday errands
Quick groceries and gas are close by at Lakeside IGA, off Highway 45. For everything else, Bloomington is an easy drive. From Northshore Drive, you’re about 20 minutes from Bloomington’s north side. From Southshore Drive, you’re about 20 minutes from the east side.
Curious about life at Lake Lemon?
Ask me about year-round homes, weekend cabins and what living on the water involves.