Iowa

Polk County

Divers will travel far and wide to find the best diving. But those who live in the United States have plenty of great diving on their doorstep as well, with plentiful access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. From warm-water reefs to temperate seas, here are some of the top places to scuba dive in the United States.

United States

Limited Visibility, Heavily silted bottom. Not many terrain features. Some Christmas trees in the deepest part near the dam used as fish hatcheries.



Polk City

Big Creek

West Lake Okoboji is the jewel of Iowa.  This 4000+ acre natural lake offers great diving for everyone.  Clarity ranges from 70+ feet in the winter months to 40+ feet in the spring and fall to 12+ feet during the summer months. Depths up to 136 feet can be reached, but most aquatic life will be seen from 10 to 40 feet.  There are several thermoclines that can be reached so a 5-4-3 wetsuit is recommended most of the year.  Dry suits are recommended for winter, early spring and late fall diving.  There are many points of interest throughout the lake.  There are 3 different pipelines that are enjoyable to tour: Pillsbury point, The Milford Tower and The Inn. In Smiths Bay you can find a truck that fell through the ice in the 1940's. There are remnants of several boats in the lake.  There are also many rocky points and drop offs. Aquatic life is abound everywhere. You will see fish species including bluegill, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskies, white bass, walleye, perch, buffalo carp, and more. Blue Water Divers, a Padi 5 star dive center, is located on the lake at Arnolds Park.  There you can get any supplies you need plus directions to favorite dive sites.



Lake Okoboji, Arnolds Park

Strode Lake

Iron ore mine pit. Flooded and converted to park. On site camp spots available. Many dive features are buoyed.  Multiple training platforms at various depths.  Some sunken features, such as a boat. (Not really a wreck.) Temps are very cold at depth - dress warm. Fish cribs are fun to see.

Shore diving with equipment set up racks.

Lake Wazee is also known as Wazee Lake.

Lake Wazee



Shore dive in lake located in the Devil's Lake State Park, operated by the WI Dept of Natural Resources.  A park admission pass is required for each vehicle.

After entering the park and passing the ranger station, continue straight until you cross the railroad tracks.  Turn right and follow the road to the end.

This is a shore dive, with the water entry just over the railroad tracks between the parking lot and the lake.  After entering the water, continue the dive to the left (south).

Devil's Lake North Shore

Lake Monona is a 3359 acre lake located in Dane County. It has a maximum depth of 74 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings, public beaches. Fish include Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Sturgeon and Catfish.

Lake Monona, Madison

Located just North of Rockford, IL (the state's second largest city). Pearl Lake is one of the oldest private diving lakes in Illinois and offers fishing, swimming and diving. An old gravel pit, average depth is between 30 & 40 feet with a maximum depth of 85 feet. Many man made objects have been sunk in the lake to keep divers amused. Attractions include a bus (of course), boats, an airplane, concrete pipes, railroad tracks, and a two man submarine. The fish are friendly and abundant. A popular training lake for Chicago area instructors, the lake can get crowded on the weekends. Amenities include a camp ground, restaurant, bar, rest rooms, showers & changing rooms. Air fills and equipment rentals are available on site. Nitrox fills are also available. C card required. Daily entrance fee is $25. Dive season: April to October, 8AM - dusk (night diving is permitted on Sat/Sun) Pearl Lake is host to a variety of plant & animal life including bluegills, small- and largemouth bass, yellow perch, white suckers, catfish, turtles, craysish, and an assortment of mollusks. This dive destination offers many underwater attractions (see map) and is great for novice and experienced divers.



Pearl Lake

Pearl Lake, South Beloit is a 4.0-star
                rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Illinois, USA Mid which is accessible from
                shore based on 1 ratings.

Pearl Lake, South Beloit

Melvern Lake

In southeast South Dakota, not far from the Nebraska border, visitors come to this Midwest site for its variety of recreational opportunities. The lake, formed behind the Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River, covers 100,000 square acres (40,000 hectares). Dive shops use the lake for open-water training, and an annual spearfishing tournament is held there as well. Many divers prefer the east side of the lake where boat ramps are plentiful and the bottom is more rocky and less muddy than on the west side. The lake is named after Francis H. Case, a Republican Congressman from South Dakota, whose main goals were to expand America’s road and waterway infrastructure.

Lake Francis Case

This site is a rock quarry, but has been managed for a few years by divers. There is a sunken Chevy, a motorcycle, two boats, and a training platform at 30 ft . Water is cold, even in summer. Visibility is decent, very little fish population.

West of Saint Louis, just up to New Melle.

Big Creek

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Big Creek