Progress in research on water quality monitoring using remote sensing were reviewed from the aspects of remote sensing data, retrieval methods, and water quality parameters. Remote sensing data commonly used at home and abroad were introduced. The advantages and disadvantages of five retrieval methods(the analytic method, empirical method, semi-empirical method, machine learning, and comprehensive method) were compared. The research on optically active parameters(chlorophyll-a, suspended matter, and colored dissolved organic matter) and non-optically active parameters(chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen) was summarized. At present, there are still some problems in inland water quality monitoring using remote sensing, regarding the pertinence of satellite sensors, the spatiotemporal limitation of retrieval methods, the complexity of spectral characteristics of water quality parameters, the accuracy of atmospheric correction, and the water quality monitoring of special types of water. It is pointed out that the remote sensing monitoring of water quality in the future should focus on new remote sensing data, general retrieval models, different spectral characteristics, accurate atmospheric correction, and classification of special water types.