Mayor Kerry Thomson

Page last updated on March 20, 2026 at 1:56 pm

The Griffy Lake boathouse opens for the 2026 season on Saturday, April 4!

Boathouse Hours

April: Saturday and Sunday only, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
May-August: Daily, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
September: Daily, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
October: Saturday and Sunday only, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
November-March: Closed

Boating at Griffy Lake

Private Watercraft Launching

  • Griffy Lake is owned and managed by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. It is not a Department of Natural Resources facility, and a DNR non-motorized watercraft permit is not valid for the use of privately owned watercraft.
  • All privately owned watercraft, including jon boats, fishing boats, rowboats, kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, motorboats, fishing kayaks, inflatables, etc. must have a permit to launch at Griffy Lake.
  • Launch permit holders are required to present a state- or university-issued photo ID when launching a personal watercraft at Griffy Lake. Contact information will be stored electronically for up to 30 days for safety and operational purposes, then securely deleted.
  • Watercraft launch permits are available for purchase with cash or credit/debit card at the Griffy Lake boathouse.
  • Shoreline launching of watercraft of any kind is NOT permitted. All watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, must be launched from the ramp located at the boathouse.

Launch Fees

  • Motorized watercraft (limited to the use of electric trolling motors only): $10/day or $125/year
  • Non-motorized watercraft, including but not limited to canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards: $10/day or $100/year
  • Additional launch permits for the same household: $30 each
  • If annual launch permits remain available after Labor Day, permits will be sold at a discounted rate of $40 per permit

Watercraft Rentals

Don't have your own kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard? Rent one of ours!

  • Walk-up rentals are accepted when watercraft are available.
  • Canoe, kayak and/or paddleboard rental is $12/hour. There is a two-hour rental limit on holidays and weekends.
    • A 10-rental pass, good for 10 hours of watercraft rentals during the 2026 season, are $100 each.
  • Renters are required to present a state- or university-issued photo ID when renting a watercraft at Griffy Lake. Contact information will be stored electronically for up to 30 days for safety and operational purposes, then securely deleted.
  • Griffy Lake accepts cash and credit/debit cards (MasterCard, Visa and Discover only) for boat rentals, and for the purchase of 10-Rental passes and private watercraft launch fees.
  • Weekend rentals are limited to 2 hours. 
  • A minimum $20 late fee applies to all rented watercraft returned after closing. An additional $20 will be added for every 30 minutes the boat remains out past closing time. 
  • A minimum $50 replacement fee is charged for lost, stolen, or damaged rental items.

Watercraft Rental Reservations

  • Reservations be accepted beginning March 15, 2026. Make watercraft rental reservations by phone at 812-349-3732, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Reservation requests sent to [email protected] must include the date and time of the rental, quantity and type of the watercraft you would like to rent, a phone number, how many children and how many adults will be using the watercraft, and if the rental is for 1 or 2 hours. Requests made through email may take 48 hours to confirm. 

Other Information

  • A valid Indiana fishing license is required to fish at Griffy Lake. The Griffy Lake boathouse does not sell fishing licenses.
  • Largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill and channel catfish are stocked at Griffy Lake.
  • All Department of Natural Resources rules and regulations regarding the taking of fish, including size limits and daily bag limits, are in effect at Griffy Lake.