Lake Decatur is a reservoir in Illinois, near Macon County.
Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.
Lake Decatur is broad and shallow, so fishing here isn't about finding a deep mountain-lake basin. The average depth is only about six feet. Channels, shoreline cover and baitfish are more useful things to look for. Catfish, crappie and white bass offer different approaches on a lake right beside the city.
Use bottom rigs for channel cats where legal shoreline access gives you room to fish. For crappie, work cover with small jigs and keep changing depth until you get a bite. White bass and hybrids are a reason to carry a small baitfish-shaped lure, while walleye call for a more deliberate search near bottom changes.
The City of Decatur operates public launching facilities and collects boating fees. Choose a developed ramp close to the basin you want to fish. That matters on a shallow lake where wind can turn a comfortable run into a rough return trip.
The lake is no-wake from half an hour after sunset until sunrise. Use the current city boat rules for launch permits and restrictions. Surface-area figures differ between mapping and reference descriptions; the state fishery description uses about 3,093 acres. Fish the cover that's in the water on your visit rather than relying on a fixed shoreline from an older map.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.
Source dates describe the evidence, not a live catch forecast. Check the managing authority before planning access or keeping fish.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.