curl / decoy
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curl
A single strand of hair twisted in a spiral or ring shape. In the plural, it often refers to curly hair in general.
Das kleine Mädchen hatte eine blonde Locke, die ihr in die Stirn fiel.
The little girl had a blond curl that fell onto her forehead.
The noun 'die Locke' (curl/decoy) is closely related to the verb 'locken' (to lure/attract). This connection is direct in the hunting meaning (to lure), but with hair too, the idea of something attractive or curled is also present.
Der Duft des Essens lockte die Gäste in die Küche.
The smell of the food lured the guests into the kitchen.
In the singular, 'die Locke' (the curl) refers to one individual twisted strand of hair. In the plural ('die Locken' (the curls)), it often means a person's entire curly hairstyle.
Er hat von Natur aus Locken.
He has naturally curly hair.
Common combinations are 'Locken haben' (to have curls), 'sich Locken machen lassen' (to have one's hair curled), or adjectives like 'blonde', 'dunkle', or 'wilde' Locken (blond, dark, or wild curls).
Für die Feier hat sie sich beim Friseur Locken machen lassen.
For the celebration, she had her hair curled at the hairdresser's.
The meaning 'Köder' (bait/decoy) is a technical term from hunting language. In almost all everyday situations, 'Locke' refers to hair. The context (hunting, animals, forest) makes the meaning clear.
Um die Krähen anzulocken, benutzte der Jäger eine spezielle Locke.
To attract the crows, the hunter used a special decoy.
hair
'das Haar' and 'die Locke' both belong to the area of head hair. 'Haar' is the general word: it can mean all the hair on the head or a single hair. 'Locke', on the other hand, means a twisted or ring-shaped strand of hair. The words can be confused because curls are made of hair. If you are speaking generally about color, length, or care, 'Haar' fits better. If you mean the shape, that is, curly or ring-shaped, 'Locke' is more precise.
Eine blonde Locke fiel ihr beim Lesen ins Gesicht.
A blond curl fell into her face while she was reading.
Nach dem Schwimmen ist mein Haar noch ganz nass.
After swimming, my hair is still completely wet.