You might not look to the state of Iowa for fantastic diving, but it's out there! West Lake Okoboji offers a surface of nearly 4,000 acres, or just under 16 square kilometers. Part of the Iowa Great Lakes chain, and originally named Minnetonka by the Sioux people, it is truly magnificent. Let's take a closer look at this fantastic natural lake.
Origin and Features
Like the rest of the lakes in the chain, West Lake Okoboji is a glacial pothole; it is all that remains of a glacier left over from the most recent ice age, which ended about 13,000 years ago. The lake's maximum depth is 136 feet or 41 meters; still, its' mean depth is just 39 feet, or 12 meters. It is bordered by the cities of Arnolds Park, Okoboji, West Okoboji, and Wahpeton, and as it is one of only three blue water lakes in the world, it is a popular destination. In case you're wondering, the other two blue water lakes are Switzerland's Lake Geneva, and Canada's Lake Louise.
A popular destination for Midwest divers, the lake is home to a number of freshwater species, including yellow perch, walleye, bluegill, smallmouth, white, and black bass, muskie, crappie, and big northern pike.
Diving West Lake Okoboji
Offering something for everyone, this lake is great for diving year round. Offering visibility beyond 70 feet during the winter months, 40 foot visibility during spring and autumn, and visibility at about 10 to 12 feet during the warmest months of summer, it has a number of thermoclines; a 5-4-3 wetsuit is recommended most of the year. During the winter, late fall, and early spring, you'll definitely need a drysuit.
You'll see most of the aquatic life at depths between 10 and 40 feet, and along the way, there are 3 pipelines you can tour. One is at Pillsbury Point, the second is at the Inn, and the third is at Milford Tower. In Smith's Bay, there's a sunken pickup truck that dates back to the 1940's; it fell through the ice and is in pretty good shape. In addition to this, there are a number of sunken pleasure boats to see, all of which are teeming with fish.
Along the shoreline, and throughout the lake, there are intriguing rock formations to explore, and local dive shops provide air fills, tours, and of course, plenty of information about which portions of the lake are best for diving. A local favorite is a night dive at Milford Tower, where the fish put on a great show once the sun goes down.
As you explore, be sure to watch out for boats and be on the lookout for lost fishing gear, too. Despite these hazards, a dive in this lake is a real pleasure, and as the fish are healthy and abundant, you are sure to come face to face with some real monsters topside fishermen can only dream about. Topside, there are plenty of great hotels, bed and breakfast type inns, and restaurants, not to mention historic sites, museums, and other attractions to keep you busy.