Lower Lake Michigan diving in March?

[SCUBA-Do!]

I may be coming to Chicago, IL and Hudsonville, MI in early March. If I come I would love to do some more diving in the Lake.

Does anyone run any trips on the weekends that early in the year? What about shore diving?

I am a PADI DM with over 500 dives in 5 years;
I have dived over 350 in cold water, mostly San Diego;
I am a drysuit diver; Nitrox certified.
I prefer steel tanks.

My average dive depth is probably about 100 fsw.
Any information you can pass along my way would be great.

 

[captndale]

I may be coming to Chicago, IL and Hudsonville, MI in early March. If I come I would love to do some more diving in the Lake.

Does anyone run any trips on the weekends that early in the year? What about shore diving?

I am a PADI DM with over 500 dives in 5 years;
I have dived over 350 in cold water, mostly San Diego;
I am a drysuit diver; Nitrox certified.
I prefer steel tanks.

My average dive depth is probably about 100 fsw.
Any information you can pass along my way would be great.

I can't promise anything just yet, but I will be putting Enterprise back in the water in March. I just do not know exactly what day right now. It all depends on the weather. Even if the boat is in the water, March weather can be quite unpredictable.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

March is early around here but if you find a boat and need a buddy shoot me a PM. Or if you need more divers to fill a boat let me know and I'll see if I can't help out.

I have heard rumor of a good shorediving spot in Evanston, apparently there was a military depot on the pier at one point. People have found ammunition and various military pieces there, but I have yet to dive it. If all else fails I'd be up to try that spot, but can't make any guarantees on the enjoyment factor.

 

[SwimJim]

In general, its pretty windy in March. Shore dives in Lake Michigan will be zero viz affairs. The water temp won't be much above 32 so its dry suit and a sealed reg. On the other hand, if you can get out and do a deeper wreck dive, the viz could be quite good. Its still going to be colder the s**t, but if your properly prepared, thats no big deal.

jim

 

[captndale]

March is early around here but if you find a boat and need a buddy shoot me a PM. Or if you need more divers to fill a boat let me know and I'll see if I can't help out.

I have heard rumor of a good shorediving spot in Evanston, apparently there was a military depot on the pier at one point. People have found ammunition and various military pieces there, but I have yet to dive it. If all else fails I'd be up to try that spot, but can't make any guarantees on the enjoyment factor.

I think you are mixing up a couple of sites. The military depot was at Ft. Sheridan, somewhat farther north at Highwood. A lot of the old military debris has recently been cleaned up because there was some old unexploded ordnance mixed in with it. There is still some stuff to be found. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to dive there from shore. The local security people are turning divers away. You need to go by boat now.

In Evanston, you can dive from the shore of Dawes Park at the end of Greenwood Street. There is an old, but very large wreck, the George Morley, in 15 to 20 feet of water just about a fifteen minute swim out.

 

[SCUBA-Do!]

Okay, I have decided to not drag all of my gear on the plane and then be disappointed. Thanks everyone for the information. I am hoping to come back in May. I will obviously have more luck then.

If you want to keep in touch with me please send an email to my regular address below.

Happy & Safe Diving....

 

[ppo2_diver]

The Len-Der has been known to go out this time of the year. I now he took a couple of people out last month. They got blown out after the first dive.