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, Chapter 66.1, and Chapter 66.2, Regulation of Lake Decatur), and lake special events.
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
(217) 424-2837
Lake Patrol Hours of Operation:
| Monday | 7am-3:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7am-3:30pm |
| Wednesday | 7am-3:30pm |
| Thursday | 7am-3:30pm |
| Friday | 7am-3:30pm |
Gas Sales (Boat) Hours of Operation:
Starting in 2024, G & H Services is now operating the retail boat gas dock next to the Nelson Park boat ramps. Call G & H Services at 217-423-6684 for information and hours of operation.
2024 Lake Events
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| APRIL 2024 | |
| IL Bass Nation | 7th |
| Decatur Bass Masters | 14th |
| Luke Estel Bass Tournament | 21st |
| MAY 2024 | |
| Heart of Illinois Crappie Club | 4th |
| Luke Estel Bass | 5th |
| Lake Decatur Bass Masters | 8th, 22nd |
| Lincolnland Bass Masters | 11th |
| Macon County Crappie | 19th |
| Lake Jacksonville Bass | 25th |
| JUNE 2024 | |
| Sailboat Reggatta | 1st, 2nd |
| Springfield Crappie Club | 2nd |
| Lake Decatur Bass Masters | 5th, 19th |
| Boat Races | 7th, 8th, 9th |
| Luke Estel Bass Tournament | 30th |
| JULY 2024 | |
| Lake Decatur Bass Masters | 10th, 24th |
| AUGUST 2024 | |
| Lake Decatur Bass Masters | 7th, 28th |
| Pana City Rose Hookers | 10th |
| SEPTEMBER 2024 | |
| Boat Races | 6th, 7th, 8th |
| Lake Decatur Bass Masters | 11th, 22nd |
| Springfield Crappie | 15th |
| Heart of Illinois Crappie | 21st |
| Luke Estel Bass Tournament | 29th |
| OCTOBER 2024 | |
| Luke Estell Bass Tournament | 6th |
| High School Bass Fishing Tournament | 12th, 13th |
| Lake Decatur Bass Masters | 20th |
| NOVEMBER 2024 | |
| Springfield Crappie Club | 10th |
