Lake trip · Macon County, Illinois
Where to stay at Decatur Lake
Decatur Lake covers 3,335 acres in Macon County, with water clarity of about 1.3 ft. Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae; they are not a stay-or-skip rating. Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Next trip in Macon County
Swipe left or right on this bar to open the next or previous trip.
Places to stay near Decatur Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Decatur Lake in Macon County, Illinois — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Top-rated places to stay near Decatur Lake
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
About the water
Decatur Lake has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. Water clarity is about 1.3 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 25 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a in the monitoring record runs high enough that algae is a factor. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim. The readings are not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.
Best time to visit
Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Check the National Weather Service forecast for Decatur Lake →
About Decatur Lake
Fishing & license
Illinois fishing license
Anglers under 16 years of age (resident and non-resident) may fish without a license. Blind or disabled Illinois residents (with proof such as a state disabled person ID card) and Illinois residents on leave from active duty in the Armed Forces are also exempt. Seniors 65-74 qualify for a reduced-fee Senior Fishing License ($7.75), and residents 75+ qualify for the Super Senior Fishing License ($1.50). · Fishing is open year-round in Illinois; licenses run on a license year that goes on sale March 1 and expires March 31 of the following year (2026 licenses valid through March 31, 2027). Designated stocked trout waters are the exception: the 2026 spring trout season opened April 4 (catch-and-release from March 21) and a fall trout season begins in October.
Prices as published by Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 2026.
Camping & RV near Decatur Lake
Search public campgrounds and RV sites near Decatur Lake on Recreation.gov, then compare cabins, resorts, and rentals on the map above.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Decatur Lake in Macon County, Illinois are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice.
Decatur Lake has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. Chlorophyll-a in the monitoring record runs high enough that algae is a factor. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim.
Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Explore Decatur Lake
Every Illinois lake with its published measurements
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Illinois's top lakes, each with its readings
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Illinois's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for Decatur Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.
Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality readings are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.