Lake Decatur Fishing
2,905 acres on the IFishIllinois page, a lake of Macon County.
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First Illinois notes on Lake Decatur
IDNR lists Lake Decatur at 2,905 acres, a lake lying in Macon County. At its deepest, the IDNR text says, it reaches 24 feet. From the IDNR pin it is around 2 miles to Decatur.
5 boat ramps show on the IDNR boat ramp layer here. Read its digest entry before you keep fish.
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
What IDNR says about Lake Decatur
- Location (IDNR)Lake Decatur is located on the south and east side of the City of Decatur, in Macon County.
- Description (IDNR)The lake covers 3,093 surface acres with a maximum depth of 24 feet and average depth of 6 feet.
What IDNR says is available at Lake Decatur
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessYes
- Boat FishingYes – Unrestricted
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsYes
- CampingNo
- PicnickingYes
- SkiingYes
- SwimmingNo
- Trout StockingNo
We copied the Lake Decatur entry from IFishIllinois without edits.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
How IDNR rates the fishing at Lake Decatur
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | Fair | Hybrid Striped Bass (Wiper) are stocked annually by IDNR. Population density varies with escapement over the dam being a major factor. Hybrid Striped Bass are regularly caught below the spillway, however they can still… |
| Flathead Catfish | Average | Flathead Catfish are present, however densities are relatively low. Smaller fish have been observed, indicating that natural recruitment is occurring, however larger fish seem to be observed less often than they have in… |
| Freshwater Drum | Very Good | Freshwater Drum ("Sheepshead", "drum perch", etc.) are abundant, with most individuals ranging from 12-18". |
| Common Carp | Very Good | Common Carp are abundant, with most ranging from 15-25". |
| Walleye | Excellent | Walleye are moderately abundant thanks to annual stockings from IDNR hatcheries. Growth rates are great, with walleye 15-25" commonly observed in targeted surveys. |
| White Bass | Good | White bass population densities have been below average since 2020, when a fish kill occurred (disease/virus suspected, as it was species-specific). As has been observed in other lakes that have had similar kills, it… |
| Largemouth Bass | Average | Largemouth bass abundance is lower than desired, largely due to a lack of aquatic vegetation for nursery habitat. Research conducted on area reservoirs, including Lake Decatur, has demonstrated that stocking of… |
| Channel Catfish | Very Good | Channel Catfish are abundant in the lake through natural recruitment. The average channel catfish ranges from 15-20", though larger fish are certainly present. |
| Crappie spp. | Excellent | Both black crappie and white crappie are moderately abundant. Growth rates are very good. Most crappie are between 8-12 inches, but larger fish are present. A 10 inch minimum length limit and 10 fish daily harvest limit… |
| Bluegill | Fair | Bluegill fishing is fair. Few fish collected exceed 7 inches. |
IDNR rates freshwater drum at Lake Decatur as very good, the top mark in its outlook here.
Species for Lake Decatur come only from IDNR pages and tables.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
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- Lake Decatur Boat Ramp-Faries Parkfee noted, City permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Decatur Country Club Rd Boat Rampfee noted, City permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Decatur E Lost Bridge Rd Boat Rampfee noted, City permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Decatur Marina Boat Rampfee noted, City permit required to launch/boat on lake
- Lake Decatur Sportsmans Park Boat Rampfee noted, City permit required to launch/boat on lake
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Contour maps published for Lake Decatur
- DecaturIDNR depth map
- Decatur Dam DecaturIDNR depth map
- Reas Bridge DecaturIDNR depth map
- Williams St Bridge DecaturIDNR depth map
IDNR has drawn 4 depth maps of Lake Decatur; the waterbody page carries them.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
What IDNR put into Lake Decatur
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Walleye | 89,258 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 37,881 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Walleye | 66,056 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 32,698 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2024 | Walleye | 74,193 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 26,554 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2023 | Walleye | 18,503 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | 31,500 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Walleye | 88,658 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
These Lake Decatur lines are from the IFishIllinois stocking table.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
The rules on keeping fish at Lake Decatur
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Unless the digest names Lake Decatur for a species, the statewide row decides.
Local rules at Lake Decatur
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed (code) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Decatur | All Fish | 2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (2). Bullfrogs may not be taken by spear. Carp, buffalo, suckers and carpsuckers may be taken by means of pitchfork and gigs (no bow and arrow devices) |
| Lake Decatur | Large or Smallmouth Bass | 14 inch Minimum Length Limit |
| Lake Decatur | White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie | 10 inch Minimum Length Limit; 10 Fish Daily Harvest Limit |
- Code 1Sport fishermen must not use more than 2 poles and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached (Alabama rigs not allowed) while fishing, except that legal size cast nets (in accordance with Section 810.50(a)(2)), shad scoops, and minnow …
- Code 2Sport fishermen may not use a minnow seine, minnow trap, cast net or shad scoop for bait collecting in the following water areas: Fox Chain O' Lakes (Lake/McHenry Counties) – including the Fox River south of the Wisconsin-Illinois boundary to the …
Site-specific regulations as printed in the 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR) page 37, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR license fees (ifishillinois.org), read November 4, 2026.
Lake Decatur next to the lakes around it
The biggest neighbour here is Clinton Lake, listed at 4,895 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Decatur | 2,905 | 24 | 5 | Striped Bass x White Bass (Wiper) | |
| Dreamland Pond | 5 miles west | 1.0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Cattail Pond (Rock Springs) | 7 miles west | not printed | 15 | 0 | |
| Bike Trail Pond (Rock Springs) | 7 miles west | 3.0 | 16 | 0 | |
| Weldon Springs | 19 miles north | 29 | 38 | 1 | Redear Sunfish |
| Clinton Lake | 22 miles north | 4,895 | 60 | 6 | Largemouth Bass |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
Down the county road from Lake Decatur
More Illinois lakes within reach of Lake Decatur
- Dreamland Pond5 miles west
- Cattail Pond (Rock Springs)7 miles west
- Bike Trail Pond (Rock Springs)7 miles west
- Weldon Springs19 miles north
- Clinton Lake22 miles north
Tackle stops within a short drive of Lake Decatur
- Lbs Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Decatur, 2 miles
- Mike's Tackle Worldbait and tackle shop, Decatur, 2 miles
- Green Acres Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Clinton, 19 miles
- Clinton Lake Marinamarina, Weldon, 20 miles
- Jaydiz Fishing & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Monticello, 21 miles
Borrowing a rod near Lake Decatur
- Rock Springs CenterDecatur, 7 miles
- Allerton Park 4-H campMonticello, 16 miles
- Weldon Springs State ParkClinton, 19 miles
- Elizabeth Titus Memorial LibrarySullivan, 23 miles
Beds and breakfasts for a run to Lake Decatur
- Decatur2 miles
- Long Creek4 miles
- Mount Zion5 miles
Courthouse-county pages reaching Lake Decatur
- Macon Countyseat: Decatur
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Spinning reels from Piscifun matched to Lake Decatur
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Lakes and river bends close to Lake Decatur, in pictures
Photo: Dan, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Denny Armstrong, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Katherine Johnson, CC BY 2.0
What gets asked about Lake Decatur around Illinois
Is Lake Decatur upstate, central or down in Little Egypt?
Lake Decatur is located on the south and east side of the City of Decatur, in Macon County. Search Macon County, about 2 miles from Decatur.
What acre figure does IFishIllinois print for Lake Decatur?
2,905 acres, per IDNR, and the IDNR text gives a 24 foot maximum depth.
Which launches on the IDNR map serve Lake Decatur?
IDNR plots 5 boat ramps; start at Lake Decatur Boat Ramp-Faries Park.
How does IDNR grade the bass at Lake Decatur?
First in the IDNR outlook: striped bass x white bass (wiper), fair; also present per IDNR are flathead catfish, freshwater drum, common carp, walleye and white bass.
Does a digest length rule cover Lake Decatur?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. A digest line for this water changes part of that; see the limits band.
Which IDNR paperwork comes before a day at Lake Decatur?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Where do shore anglers go at Lake Decatur?
No pier is inventoried; the IDNR page notes Family Friendly Yes; Handicap Access Yes.
Where are crawlers sold on the way to Lake Decatur?
Nearest in our shop file: Lbs Outdoors, about 2 miles away,.
Save a Saturday for Lake Decatur
Buy the Illinois license online before you leave.