Lake Services

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

EventDate
Lake Decatur Bass MastersApril 3
Heart of Illinois CrappieApril 16
Central Illinois CrappieApril 23
Crappie ChasersApril 24
Springfield CrappieApril 30
MAY
Macon County Crappie ClassicMay 1 & 8
Crappie ChasersMay 5, 19 & 26
Springfield CrappieMay 7
Lake Decatur Bass MastersMay 11 & 25
JUNE
Lake Decatur Bass MasersJune 1, 15 & 29
Crappie ChasersJune 9 & 16
Assumption Bass ClubJune 12
JULY
July 4th Celebration
Lake Decatur Bass MastersJuly 13 & 27
AUGUST
Lake Decatur Bass mastersAugust 31
SEPTEMBER
Crappie ChasersSeptember 1
Lake Decatur Bass MasersSeptember 7 & 21
Heart of Illinois CrappieSeptember 17
Livingston AnglersSeptember 18
Millikin University TriathlonSeptember 23 & 24
OCTOBER
Crappie ChasersOctober 2
Springfield CrappieOctober 15
Lake Decatur Bass MastersOctober 16