Chicago

[SmileMon]

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Chicago in a few weeks, Sandwich IL to be exact, any of the locals can tell me if there's anything interesting to dive in that area?
Should I bring my gear?

I've checked the temp on lake Michigan and its 50F, I'm used to 70+, so I guess I'll need another layer, 3mm + hooded vest(3mil) be enough ?

Any recommended dive op?

I'm OW/Nitrox cert, so no deep diving, if any.

I appreciate your time!

 

[jepuskar]

Hi, there are a few spots..Lake Michigan, Haigh Quarry, and Pearl Lake. Pearl is right by Wisconsin, Haigh is by Kankakee, and well...I hope you know where the lake is.

Right now if your diving wet, I would go no less than a 7mm, hood, and gloves....bibbed hood is not a bad idea. I would not bring any sort of 3mm anything right now.

If this is your first cold water diving, I would highly recommend Haigh Quarry. They have a shallow side that maxes out at 23ft...you can rent everything you need from there. www.haighquarry.com

Jason

 

[ppo2_diver]

You didn't mention when you will be in the area. On Lake Michigan last weekend the water temps at depth were 39 and 41 on the surface. If you're not used to this kind of water, then a dry suit is a must. Many locals will dive in a 7 mil wet suit in this water temps. You can try Capt Bob at www.divechicago.com. I don't know when he will start going out on the big lake this year. Otherwise, there are many people on this board who go to the Haigh Quarry in Kankakee, IL.

 

[SmileMon]

Thanks!
Now the planning begins..

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

I'm OW/Nitrox cert, so no deep diving, if any.

I know what the agencies say, and I highly recommend you stay within your comfort level. There aren't many Lake MI destinations shallower than 60 ft that I'm aware of, there are several wrecks in the south end in the 60-85 FFW range I believe. Getting out on the boats usually needs to be scheduled early as possible.

Bundling up will be paramount, might as well leave the 3mm at home and rent something more suitable. Save the space in your luggage. 50F sounds warm for the lake, it was in the high 30s at depth a couple weeks ago. I've got a bibbed hood and gloves you could borrow but you'll need to rent a 7mm.

But there are inland options, unless you're diving saltwater on a regular basis they shouldn't be too disappointing. Drop me a line if you decide to try it out, I could always use a good excuse to go diving and would be happy to show you around one of the local watering holes.

Chris

EDIT: Oh your in SFLA? Hold out for the Lake if you can, the quarries and lakes will get you wet but that's about it, and you'll really need to lower your marine-life sighting expectations

 

[ppo2_diver]

IThere aren't many Lake MI destinations shallower than 60 ft that I'm aware of,

This isn't true. There are a lot of wrecks shallower than 60 feet just off of Chicago. There is the Material Service barge at 40 feet. The Wings of Wind sits in 50 feet. The Floral Hill is at 40 feet. The Wells Burt is at 40 feet. These are just off the top of my head, I'm sure there are more.

The thing to remember about diving shallower in LM is that the viz gets worse the shallow you are. Last weekend we had 50+ feet of clear viz at 115 feet. Chris is going to miss a great dive this weekend if the viz is the same. :monkeydan

 

[vondo]

This isn't true. There are a lot of wrecks shallower than 60 feet just off of Chicago. There is the Material Service barge at 40 feet. The Wings of Wind sits in 50 feet. The Floral Hill is at 40 feet. The Wells Burt is at 40 feet. These are just off the top of my head, I'm sure there are more.

The thing to remember about diving shallower in LM is that the viz gets worse the shallow you are. Last weekend we had 50+ feet of clear viz at 115 feet. Chris is going to miss a great dive this weekend if the viz is the same. :monkeydan

I travel to Chicago a lot and was looking at trips out of there or Milwaukee. How *warm* does the lake get, say in July or August?

I grew up on the shores of LM (never dove there) and I don't get as cold as some seem to, but I might still have to rent. The best I could come up with with what I own is a 5mm semi-dry layered with a 2mm shorty.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[SmileMon]

I know what the agencies say, and I highly recommend you stay within your comfort level. There aren't many Lake MI destinations shallower than 60 ft that I'm aware of, there are several wrecks in the south end in the 60-85 FFW range I believe. Getting out on the boats usually needs to be scheduled early as possible.

My comfort level is not governed by depth, its mostly who I'm diving with and how strong the current is, Last weekend I had the best buddy (the one after the 'almost accident' post), so I dove with him to 70'.

Bundling up will be paramount, might as well leave the 3mm at home and rent something more suitable. Save the space in your luggage. 50F sounds warm for the lake, it was in the high 30s at depth a couple weeks ago. I've got a bibbed hood and gloves you could borrow but you'll need to rent a 7mm.

30's? my Zeagle is not environment sealed, is it a good idea to bring it or should I rent?

But there are inland options, unless you're diving saltwater on a regular basis they shouldn't be too disappointing. Drop me a line if you decide to try it out, I could always use a good excuse to go diving and would be happy to show you around one of the local watering holes.

Diving is diving is diving, the fish here are amazing but its the underwater world that I like, I could float near a wreck for hours..

EDIT: Oh your in SFLA? Hold out for the Lake if you can, the quarries and lakes will get you wet but that's about it, and you'll really need to lower your marine-life sighting expectations

Will I see A fish?

 

[Doc]

I'm planning a trip to Chicago in a few weeks, Sandwich IL to be exact, any of the locals can tell me if there's anything interesting to dive in that area? !

Other than diving, you might consider a visist to the International Sandwich Hall of Fame which is located just South of town past the red barn. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmesq/is_199911/ai_kepm262340 (try "Mr. Beef") eyebrow

My favorite poster of midwestern diving is hanging on a wall in a suburban dive shop. Picture a black and white image of some non-descript Great Lakes fish gasping for breath perched on the skoogy rail of a sunken ship. Below, it reads: "Dive Lake Michigan, see the pretty fish"

We do have any number of good wrecks, but we have lost 25 retail dive ops since late 2000.

You are travelling to where it all started... http://www.divinghistory.com/historyofpadi.htm

 

[netmage]

I travel to Chicago a lot and was looking at trips out of there or Milwaukee. How *warm* does the lake get, say in July or August?

I grew up on the shores of LM (never dove there) and I don't get as cold as some seem to, but I might still have to rent. The best I could come up with with what I own is a 5mm semi-dry layered with a 2mm shorty.

Thanks,

Eric

About the best I remember is 70's on the top., i.e. surface and normally maybe down to 10-20' depending on time of year and thermocline. Every once in a while the lake will turn at you'll get 60 degree water top to bottom on the Willy or Milwaukee - but thats a freak occurance.