The Lake Services Section is responsible for operating and maintaining Lake Decatur. This includes shoreline erosion control and stabilization, debris removal, mowing of city property adjacent to the lake, maintenance of public boat ramps, Lake Patrol (which enforces City Code Chapter 66, Regulation of Lake Decatur), lake special events, and dredging operations.
The Lake Section supports large, free public events held in Nelson Park and Lake Decatur each year including the Fourth of July Celebration.
The City’s 2014 through 2019 dredging project removed lake sediment from Basins 1, 2, 3 & 4. 11,110,991 cubic yards of material (or 6,887 acre feet) was dredged to increase the lake’s storage capacity by 30%.
Lake Office
(Located in Nelson Park)
1101 S. Lake Front Rd., Decatur, IL 62521
Office Hours: 7:00am to 3:30pm Weekdays
2022 Summer Hours: 7:00am to midnight weekdays,
7:30am to midnight weekends
Boat Gas Sales Schedule
(pump located next to Nelson Park boat ramp)
In Season Hours:
4pm – 7pm Wednesday and Friday
11am – 6pm Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays
For information call (217) 424-2837
Lake Events
Event | Date |
---|---|
Lake Decatur Bass Masters | April 3 |
Heart of Illinois Crappie | April 16 |
Central Illinois Crappie | April 23 |
Crappie Chasers | April 24 |
Springfield Crappie | April 30 |
MAY | |
Macon County Crappie Classic | May 1 & 8 |
Crappie Chasers | May 5, 19 & 26 |
Springfield Crappie | May 7 |
Lake Decatur Bass Masters | May 11 & 25 |
JUNE | |
Lake Decatur Bass Masers | June 1, 15 & 29 |
Crappie Chasers | June 9 & 16 |
Assumption Bass Club | June 12 |
JULY | |
July 4th Celebration | |
Lake Decatur Bass Masters | July 13 & 27 |
AUGUST | |
Lake Decatur Bass masters | August 31 |
SEPTEMBER | |
Crappie Chasers | September 1 |
Lake Decatur Bass Masers | September 7 & 21 |
Heart of Illinois Crappie | September 17 |
Livingston Anglers | September 18 |
Millikin University Triathlon | September 23 & 24 |
OCTOBER | |
Crappie Chasers | October 2 |
Springfield Crappie | October 15 |
Lake Decatur Bass Masters | October 16 |