Scuba diving in the metro?

[Slyster]

Anyone out there scuba dive? I am licensed but have not dove in MN.. just in Florida when I lived there. I would LOVE to dive in a nice clear lake like Demontreville(sp?) or White Bear Lake. Would love to hear any experiences. Any boats or cars to see down there? Would be really neat to REALLY experience the habitat where we fish!

By the way.. what is the clearest lake in the metro area? I heard Square Lake is really clear and popular for diving. Anyone fish Square Lake btw? Never hear about that lake on the fourms here.

[Bigfife]

My friend's dad used to do a lot of diving and he took us out a couple of times. Mille Lacs was pretty fun to dive and look for anchors and lures. I don't think he has every had to buy a crankbait. New hooks and they are ready to go again. I also dove in Lake Superior by the Apostle islands. The water is warmer and there are some very neat wrecks. I would plan a trip up there for some great diving around here.

[MNice]

Christmas Lake on the north side of Chanhassen is very clear.

[EBass]

Not metro, but the mine pits in Crosby/Ironton has the Minnesota Dive School out there almost every weekend. Pennington pits I believe is the name of the mine pit. Unreal clarity stocked with trout (need a trout stamp to fish there).

Otherwise, X-mas lake is clear. Heck Wayzata bay on Tonka isn't too bad, White Bear like you said. That's what I can think of off the top of my head.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Island lake in Linwood township is where I used to dive. It's not real deep, but I had a blast diving it. At 10' the vis was approx 25' or so.

[MossBoss95]

There is a gravel pit in Eagan that is spring fed. It is right off of hwy 13 about 1-2 miles from Yankee doodle rd. I have seen divers in the past down there and there are wrecks of old machinery in the big pool with sides that go straight down. Very clear.

[Little Joe]

Every time I fish Square, there are atleast a couple of divers out there. Gin clear lake that's for sure. A little further outside the metro, I would recommend Sylvia/Twin in the Annandale area.

[IFallsRon]

There's plenty of abandoned granite quarries in the St. Cloud area that attract divers from all over. There's a place near my house that sells equipment and fills tanks. Do a search for "underwater St. Cloud" and you'll find their Web site. I'm sure someone there can fill you in on good places to dive.

[Hemlock]

This is something I'd love to get into, eventually. I did stumble across an ad for used scuba gear. Is $400 for a bouyancy vest,air tank,regulator with backup/pressure gauge, & weights a good deal?

[Biggerfish]

Square Lake has excellent clarity. You can also go th the DNR site under lake finder and that will tell you what the lake is like. If you really want to see alot of fish and have excellent clarity, take the drive to Crosby/Ironton. I snorkel in these lakes and its unbeleavable.Make sure to bring a wet suit. Its cold.....

[Eric Wettschreck]

It's too good of a deal for all that equipment. Unless the seller really wants to get rid of it fast. For that low of a price you better have the reg inspected or at least be pretty good friends with the seller.

A tank is a tank. BC's come in all shapes sizes and kinds. The same holds true for regulators. Remember, you will be trusting your life to this equipment so it better work. 400 for that package just seems too low to me unless he needs cash fast.

[Hemlock]

Thanks for the heads up. I appreciate the insight.

[jimBo]

The city has a ordince that one quarry is for instruction

use only that is in quarry park.The rest are forbiden to go in.But I would give crosby my vote.And then there is the north shore wrecks.Madira is my favorite.But check them all.

That why we get in to this sport.And if you have not made a night dive.The chain of lakes in richmond.and Big Watab.

Found a vex off hwy 22 this spring and a lot of dippers, spud bars.Love it blow them bubbles.

[carlcmc]

I don't scuba, but I can snorker. Have never tried it in inland lakes. Do you guys every snorkel? Anything a person would need to watch out for while snorkeling or any tips? Tips on equipment? I think I might try to do it just to see the underwater structure.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I used to do a lot of snorkeling. After I started diving I stopped snorkeling. It's kind of like the difference between driving a caddy and a geo.

[fishnutbob]

Little Long lake would be a good lake to dive, its six miles west of Mound very clear its a stocked trout lake, only about a 60 acre lake, I see many dive it in the winter.

[DrKen]

I know the Anoka County Sherriff's dept uses Twin Lake in Northwest Anoka County for training. Deepest lake in Anoka County. Public park, swimming beach, boat access and picnic area for your family.

[Snag]

I've been snorkeling in Key West and the fish don't seem to mind. Do Walleyes and Bass freak out and scatter or can you get pretty close while scuba diving?

Relating to your question, I would suggest Tonka or Calhoun. Check the secchi ratings on the dnr HSOforum too.

[Lost]

I've got my open-water 1 certification but I haven't been diving since 1994. For info on great diving areas, contact Smith Diving in Fridley. They're in the same building as Thorne Bro's.

[kpj5br]

Snag,

I've only done this once, so I'm no expert or pro on it, but I'll give you my experience.

I snorkeled a lot during a week-long stay on Gull Lake (Brainerd) two years ago. It was amazing, I didn't want to quit doing it. The fish were not spooked at all by me as long as I was fairly slow and smooth with the flippers.

I saw many, many very cool things, especially in the weed beds, there are so many fish it's incredible. Also was with two loons, the male diving all around me for about 15 minutes, northerns coming up to check out what this thing was in the water, lots of cool stuff.

So to answer your question, no I don't think the fish scatter with a snorkeler/diver in the water, at least not what I experienced.

Also I'll say that Gull is "relatively" clear, not 35 feet clear, but in most spots it's pretty good, 8 feet or more, which to me was plenty to check out the underwater wildlife in it's true form.

[carlcmc]

Anyone have any recommendations to buy a snorkeling kit to do some of this snorkeling you guys are talking about?

[kpj5br]

Got mine at Sam's club, about $40 and works fine for this type of stuff.