Any Illinois Scuba Divers Out There? (Chicago, Kankakee: restaurant, shops, cabin)

[GoCUBS1]

I'd like to check out more Illinois dive sites this Spring/Summer. I have my Advanced PADI and have logged many diving hours in the Caribbean but not in Illinois (I know there's no comparison, but I'll have to make do).

Is it possible to do a shore dive anywhere on Lake Michigan? Can you recommend any shipwreck sites? Dive charter operators? What about diving at Haigh Quarry? Are there any other "good" dive sites around?

Also, can you recommend any dive shops in the city or N/NW burbs?

[david t]

Sure you can shore dive why not? I have we also have cruised the harbors as well.
As far as ship wrecks and such I think there are some planes and ships up near waukegan, IL. (sp) out off of the great lakes Naval Training Center they were used to trane pilots for landings and take offs of carriers before the fellas went overseas, WWII.
Berrys scuba is one place that comes to mind for more info or just google.
I know you did'nt ask but, a cool place to check out in MO. (IL.-MO. border) is Bonaire mines (sp) we did that place years ago as well as a lake up near Beloit, IL. Beloit has a plane a 2 seater I think but the vis is 5 feet or less at times(well at least it was when I was there) great place to use nav. skills.
Bonaire is an old mining place that was flooded and it stays a constant 52-3? water temp. year around and is great year around fun, the caves are cool but if your claustrophobic think this one thru first..it does get very, very tight.
There are a lot of diff. dive shops in IL. which should have wreck site maps as I said before Berrys comes to mind I would start there and I think I remember seeing some site maps and at the times I also remember people getting together and chartering for wreck/pleasure dives.
The great lakes get cold below 20-30 feet, have fun pee suit needed .
GO SOX1

[Inthesprawlpath]

Lots of cool dives.The lake near Beloit is Pearl Lake.It is for divers only.There is a small bar and restaurant and swimming beach shared by divers and residents of the trailer park there.I think almost every diver in Illinois has dived Pearl.Haigh Quarry near Kankakee is great for it's fish.Nice large bass,northerns,catfish and bluegils.Also a small group of paddlefish.Good visibility usually.Both of these dive spots have sunk miscelanious items to play on.Pearl has a plane,bus,boats,statues,training platforms and concrete tunnels.Visibility is best in the fall.Haigh has a crane,truck and a cabin cruiser.It's a very dive friendly atmosphere.Bontaire is the dive near St.Louis.Very cool.17 miles of shoreline,underground.You dive that with guides and swim around in a flooded lead mine.Overhead environment diving.Great visibility.Very unique dive.You start at trail 1 and progress to more experienced level dives.Imagine flooded rooms and staircases and equipment,all underground.Diving off of Chicago(boat dives) there are numerous wrecks.Some are just piles of boat pieces strewn about some are very much intact.The zebra mussels have increased visibility alot.I've seen 50' before.(that's good in the Midwest).Interesting dives are a tug called Tacoma,the 4 mile crib,there is a barge intact in about 40' right outside a harbor south of Burnam Harbor.Drift diving is interesting.We would put lines for each pair of divers off the back and just drift.Lake Michigan was where Chicago dumped many interesting things over the years.I have seen guns,bottles,plates,hardware,coal shovels,etc...The Chicago Fire cleanup was hauled out and dumped in the lake.You never know what you will see.Devils Lake in Wisconsin near Baraboo is a nice divesite.There is a dive shop right outside the state park.All shore diving along rocky,boulder strewn shore.
There is a dive show usually in January that you should go to to hook up with all of the dive shops and charters.The show used to be in Rosemont.Any dive shop can stear you to the show and these dives(there are more).Get to the show.You'll find lot's of dives and lots of divers.It's not the Carribean,but cold water diving builds character.You'll love it.

[GoCUBS1]

davidT and Inthesprawlpath -

Thanks for all the GREAT dive info! I'm really getting excited about the dives! I'll definitely check out the Rosemont show and lots of the sites you recommended. I also need to get some new gear. I've been using only a shorty for my warm dives. I'm looking forward to my cold water character building sessions...

[Inthesprawlpath]

Originally Posted by GoCUBS1

davidT and Inthesprawlpath -

Thanks for all the GREAT dive info! I'm really getting excited about the dives! I'll definitely check out the Rosemont show and lots of the sites you recommended. I also need to get some new gear. I've been using only a shorty for my warm dives. I'm looking forward to my cold-water character building sessions...

See you out there.You are going to love it below the thermo-cline. BRRRRR!