Wisconsin

Jackson 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

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.

Black River Falls

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

Redgranite Quarry

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

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

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

This is a Dutch ship sunk in 1954.  It is intact and laying on her starboard side in 75 feet of water. Is is intact and divers swim through the cabins and cargo holds.

This is Milwaukee's best ship wreck just 3 miles east of the main harbour entrance.

Prins Willem V is also known as Willie.

Prins Willem V

Wreck located 200 yards off shore up against breakwater.us

Shore dive - Split Rock Lighthouse

Madiera

Wood schooner lost in a storm on Sep. 7, 1860.



St. Mary is also known as St. Marys.

St. Mary

No amenities. Abandoned Iron Ore Mines. Great Visibility and stocked with game fish. Gravel bottom. Some pits are more than 400 feet deep.

Shore diving and campsite.

Crosby Mine Pit is also known as Ironton Mine Pit.

Crosby Mine Pit

There are several items to look for and photograph in this pit with depths ranging from 20 feet to about 100 feet. Shallow sites are a fake graveyard and sunken boat not to far out from the access entry point. At about 50 ft depth there is a platform that was or is still used for training. Below about 75 feet you can find a mermaid, a pirate and sparky the plastic skeleton holding a couple wires from an old electrical panel from when they were still mining here.

From the town of Ironton take county rd 30 north 1.25 miles then turn left onto the gravel road. Follow this road (I think it is called Silkstone Dr.) for about 1.26 miles then make a left turn. There is road (I use the word road loosely for this part because they are little to no maintenance.) that goes up hill then levels out to a nice open area about .1 miles in.  The Dive Shop in Brainerd is the closest one to the Mine Pitts and they have maps of the area.

Lake Wazee

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Lake Wazee