If your idea of diving in Minnesota includes only diving in natural lakes, think again. There are many open pit mines which long ago stopped producing minerals, and which now provide divers with great places to explore, meet local fish species, and work on their skills while they dream about wreck diving in the Great Lakes, or heading off for a dive holiday at some warm tropical location. If you find yourself in Minnesota, looking for a place to dive, why not check out some of the best mines available? What you discover might surprise you.
Crosby Mine Pits
Don't be afraid of the plastic skeletons and huge northern pike that you'll find in these pits; instead, relax and enjoy all that awaits. You'll find old power poles, road beds, foundations, and mine shafts here, plus pipes, and lots of wildlife, including fish like walleye, crappies, bass, and trout in most of these 27 bodies of water. Offering a stunning 55 dive sites, these pits were shut down in the 1970's, and now play host to creatures like loons and beavers, along with snapping turtles. Watch your depth; some sites are more than 500 feet deep.
Stubler Mine
Located a short distance from Duluth, and 12 miles west of the town of Virginia, Minnesota, Stubler Mine was once an iron ore extraction site. Today, it's a favorite with local divers, thanks to downed trees where schooling sunfish, bass, and northern pike take shelter. At the east side of the mine a small wall starts at 10 feet and meets the bottom at 30 feet; in the southeast portion of the mine, you'll find an area where reeds grow in profusion, and where small fish and other creatures can be found. This area is not very deep but it is fun for snorkeling. Amenities include a sunny beach, changing rooms and toilets, plus picnic areas and campsites. Maximum depth is 45 feet, and visibility varies from about 8 feet to 40 feet.
Lake Mine Quarry
Located in Biwabik, just north of Duluth, Lake Mine Quarry is about 15 miles from the town of Virginia. This is a very deep site, with maximum depth at 400 feet, and visibility is normally between 5 and 50 feet depending on the weather. The quarry is home to a great variety of freshwater aquatic life, including sunfish, bluegills, trout, northern pike, suckers, bass, and walleye, plus turtles and other critters. There is an underwater pillar on the west end, plus there are old buildings to explore and pipes to follow. While there is no camping at the quarry, there are motels and restaurants nearby.
Lake Ore Be Gone
Located in Gilbert, 60 miles north of Duluth, Lake Ore-Be-Gone is owned by Tall Pine Scuba, which is located 5 miles away in the town of Virginia. This lake features old mining equipment and training platforms, and it's a great place for ice diving. Maximum depth is 433 feet but the best features are in much shallower water, between 35 and 70 feet deep. You'll find plenty of freshwater life as you explore, plus there are great amenities onsite; Sherwood Forest Campground, a public boat landing and beach, an OHV park, and ATV rentals offer fun and relaxation between dives.
Eternal Bliss
Well known for its submerged boats, plastic skeletons, mermaid sculptures, underwater snowmobiles and more, Eternal Bliss also features a submerged road and a training platform, plus it offers some of the best visibility in the state; during the summer, visibility is about 20 feet, and during the winter, it opens up to an astonishing 120 feet or so. Maximum depth is over 100 feet, and there are plenty of fish and other creatures to see as you explore.
These are just a few favorites of the many open pit mine dive sites available in Minnesota. Visit, and you're sure to enjoy some unique experiences you won't soon forget.