Pearl Lake
Pearl Lake - Beloit, IL Website
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Pearl Lake is located just south of Beloit IL and is a true gem for fresh water diving in the Midwest.  Pearl Lake is privately owned and caters to divers of the Midwest.   There are several underwater attractions such as an airplane, a school bus, and others.  MDS has contributed to the underwater scene by placing the Lady of the Lake and Wally gator for your enjoyment.

There is an excellent supper club located on the property along with a dedicated swimming area.  They have a compressor and limited rental gear available.

Note worthy statistics:

Maximum depth - 85 feet
Average depth - 36 feet
Volume - 1101.5 acre/ft
Watershed - Ground Table
Shoreline - 1.15 miles
Elevation 770 Ft M.S.L.

There are several training platforms installed.  Visibility can reach as high as 50 feet but usually averages 10 - 20 feet on a good summer day.

Fees:

$15 per diver
$7 per diver
Air fills $7
Camping $25/night with electric (one tent/site 4 people)

Season starts April 17.  They are open 7 days a week until Oct. form 8 AM until dark.  Night dives can be made but must check out of the grounds no later than 10 PM.   After October they are only open on weekends. 

Address:
Highway 251
South Beliot, IL 61080
815-389-1479 -- tell 'em MDS sent you!

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Mermet Springs
Mermet Springs - Vienna, IL Website
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Season:

  Weekends -- May 1st - October 31st
8AM - 5PM -- night dives upon request.
also Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day

Fees:

$10 for divers
$5 for non-divers
Free for Certified Instructors and children under 6 -- not that there is any correlation between those two groups

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France Park
France Park - Logansport, IN Website
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One of the most popular dive sites in Indiana and is also the home of Spoonbill Stergeon, more commonly known as the Spoonbill Paddlefish (Poloydons Spathula).

The spoonbill is distinguished by its elongated, paddle-like snout.  This unusual fish can reach up to 6 feet in length and 200 pounds in weight.  The spoonbill is a filter fish and is of particular biological interest as it represents a more primitive group of fishes and has a cartilaginous frame.

There are other underwater objects to hold your interest to include a school bus, a habitat, and a very large flathead catfish usually found in the far back portion of the quarry.  Visibility averages 10-20 feet with 30 - on a good day.  Maximum depth is 31 feet.

France Park is owned and operated by Cass County Parks & Recreation Department.   You must sign in and pay tbe $1.25 park entry fee.

Requirements for SCUBA divers:

Present a Certification Card
Sign the Divers Den   liability waver
Dive with a buddy
Entry fee $10 per diver

France Park Air Station Operated by:

Divers Den, Inc
2229 E. County Road OO N
East Markland Ave.
Kokomo, Indiana 46901
317-452-1034

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Haigh Quarry
Haigh Quarry, Kankakee, IL Website
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This dive site is the most recent addition to central Illinois dive destinations and a truly fine one. 

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