Fishing near Decatur, Illinois
Macon County, population 70,522.
- 2 milesto nearest lake page
- 5launches nearby
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Fishing near Decatur
70,522 people lived in the city of Decatur in Macon County at the 2020 count. About 2 miles east lies Lake Decatur, closer than any other lake page. A 2 miles drive gets a boat to Lake Decatur Marina Boat Ramp.
Free loaner tackle is 5 miles off at Rock Springs Center.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Decatur; miles are straight lines.
The nearest lakes to downtown Decatur
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (IDNR text) | Kind | Launches | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Decatur | 2 miles east | 2,905 | 24 ft | lake | 5 | hybrid striped bass, flathead catfish, freshwater drum |
| Dreamland Pond | 3 miles west | 1 | 6 ft | pond | 0 | hybrid sunfish, bluegill |
| Cattail Pond (Rock Springs) | 5 miles southwest | 15 ft | pond | 0 | rainbow trout | |
| Bike Trail Pond (Rock Springs) | 5 miles southwest | 3 | 16 ft | pond | 0 | channel catfish |
| Weldon Springs | 18 miles north | 29 | 38 ft | lake | 1 | redear sunfish, bluegill, black crappie |
| Mt. Pulaski Park District Lake | 20 miles northwest | 6 ft | lake | 0 | channel catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish |
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. Launch counts from the IDNR map and 2019 inventory.
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Stream gauges around Decatur
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Sangamon River At Route 48 At Decatur, Il | 5 cfs, 1.81 ft gage height | Nov 5 4:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 5, 2026 5:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDNR IFishIllinois river and pool pages, USGS GNIS names and USGS gauges (live readings); read November 4, 2026.
Plotted lakes and launches around Decatur
- Lake Decatur Marina Boat RampLake Decatur, IDNR note: City permit required to launch/boat on lake, 2 miles
- Lake Decatur Country Club Rd Boat RampLake Decatur, IDNR note: City permit required to launch/boat on lake, 3 miles
- Lake Decatur Boat Ramp-Faries ParkLake Decatur, IDNR note: City permit required to launch/boat on lake, 3 miles
- Lake Decatur E Lost Bridge Rd Boat RampLake Decatur, IDNR note: City permit required to launch/boat on lake, 4 miles
- Lake Decatur Sportsmans Park Boat RampLake Decatur, IDNR note: City permit required to launch/boat on lake, 4 miles
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026. IDNR lands asset inventory, 2019 (boating and fishing assets layer), read November 4, 2026.
Loaner tackle around Decatur
| Site | Address | Phone | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Springs Center | 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur | (217) 423-7708 | 5 miles |
The IDNR loaner program puts free rods at these places.
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Where Decatur anglers pick up crawlers
Tackle counters nearest Decatur
- Mike's Tackle Worldbait and tackle shop, Decatur, under a mile
- Lbs Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Decatur, under a mile
Yellow Pages, chain store and IDNR license vendor listings (miles only for shops with an exact point); guide and charter association pages; read November 4, 2026.
The record book near Decatur
| Species | Division | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater Drum | hook and line | 38 lbs 4 oz | Clinton Lake | May 24, 2018 |
| Flathead Catfish | hook and line | 81 lbs 6.4 oz | Sangchris Lake | Aug. 26, 2015 |
| Striped Bass | hook and line | 31 lbs 7 oz | Sangchris Lake | May 23, 1994 |
| Freshwater Drum | bow and arrow | 20 lbs 4 oz | Sangchris Lake | Feb. 20, 2023 |
IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026. Waters within 40 miles.
Limits on a trip from Decatur
The 2026 IDNR fee list puts the annual license at $15 for Illinoisans and $31.50 for out-of-staters.
| Species | Daily limit | 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 |
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. Lake and river pages print any site-specific digest entry.
Around the Decatur shoreline
More bases close to Decatur
- Forsyth5 miles
- Mount Zion6 miles
- Long Creek6 miles
- Harristown7 miles
- Warrensburg9 miles
County guide that includes Decatur
- Macon Countyseat: Decatur
Piscifun picks ahead of a trip to Decatur
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A photo field guide to Decatur fish
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Argyleist, CC BY 2.0
Questions for a Decatur motel stay with a boat in tow
Which IFishIllinois lake is nearest Decatur?
Lake Decatur, 2 miles east.
How far must a Decatur boat be towed to a ramp?
Lake Decatur Marina Boat Ramp, roughly 2 miles out.
What shore spot is closest to Decatur?
IDNR piers all lie beyond 15 miles.
Which listed store near Decatur has tackle?
Mike's Tackle World, a under a mile drive.
Which county seat serves Decatur?
Macon County.
What does a year of fishing cost near Decatur?
Budget $31.50 for a year of Illinois fishing as a nonresident.
Which lake near Decatur has the most acres?
Lake Decatur lists about 2,905 acres and lies 2 miles off.
Which other Illinois towns could host a Decatur trip?
Try Forsyth (5 miles), Mount Zion (6 miles) and Long Creek (6 miles).
Which library near Decatur lends fishing gear?
Rock Springs Center, 5 miles away.
Does water near Decatur show up on the IDNR record list?
Freshwater Drum, 38 lbs 4 oz, May 24, 2018 (hook and line), from Clinton Lake.
Choose your water close to Decatur
Check a water's digest entry before keeping fish.