Lake Michigan Conditions

[Formerly 45yroldNewbie]

Hey everyone. Just wanted to pass along some recent reports from the wrecks near Chicago. For the last 3 weeks vis has been as good as 100ft and as bad as 80ft. Temps range from 48-50 surface to ~41 @ 80Fft. Seas have been flat up to 2-3' waves.

While I have not gone yet (waiting for warmer temps!) these reports are direct from the charter captain.

Just thought I'd pass along....

[crosseyed95]

Thanks for the report.

[BuzzF117]

Dove the wreck Straights of Mackinaw on May 24th and water temp on the deck of the wreck was 46 degrees with about 50 ft of viz. It was a great dive and I would have done the second if the air temp would have been in the 80's but when I couldn't stop shivering I thought it best to get dried off and start warming up.

[tc_rain]

Brrrrr, that is drysuit temps.

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by tc_rain

Brrrrr, that is drysuit temps.

Naah! 7mm wet with 3mm gloves and hood.

[bobby_hirst]

Was just actually thinking about a trip soon. After reading this, think I'll wait a little bit longer.

[BuzzF117]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

Naah! 7mm wet with 3mm gloves and hood.

5 mil with 3 mil gloves and hood the shock of the cold water made it difficult to relax and my decent down the line was delayed but got things under control and then fingers went numb 15 min into dive if air temp would have been in the 80's water temp wouldn't have bothered me but I couldn't get warm and im not crazy enough to push hypothermia since we already had 3 people seasick on the boat I just enjoyed the rest of the day from the flying bridge

[Formerly 45yroldNewbie]

Buzz - What charter did you go with? Was it Windy City?

With permission from Captain Jim I am posting his report from yesterday's night dives. Again I don't care what anyone else says my full 7MM suit and 3mm hood are not enough for me in the current temps!! If the weather would break and the sun would shine temps should get better pretty quick but then of course vis starts to degrade some.

Anyway see below:

Dear Great Lakes Divers”

Last night divers aboard the R/V Aquatica had another great night of diving on the Lake. We left Burnham Harbor just after 6:30 PM into 1 – 2 feet seas and headed out to the Mack. Our Northeast heading gave the divers a beautiful view of the City as the buildings began turning on their lights. One hour later we were over the Mack and the sky was getting dark. Temps 47F at depth and the Mack was loaded with Yellow Lake Perch. No matter where you directed your light there were perch.

I remember when we argued for the sinking of the Mack, there were objectors that said it would only attract zebra mussels. Now we have the evidence that shows that an artificial reef in a fresh water lake works. Maybe this will help in the approval for the sinking of the Buccaneer. By the way, if you are interested in helping in the sinking of the Buccaneer contact me to volunteer in its cleaning or to buy a T-shirt which supports the sinking.

After leaving the Mack we headed to the Wing of Wind. With a following sea the ride was smooth. Once at the Wings the divers had a great dive playing with the abundant number of crawfish that were present. Again we had perch and 52F water.

Besides great diving the skies were clear, the city’s skyline was magnificent and the fireworks display was great. There is nothing like watching the show of lights from the Lake.

This weekend we have 1 spot left for a trip to the Mack on Saturday (6/13) and 2 spots left on Sunday (6/14). We also have 1 spot left for a trip to the Rotarian on Monday (6/15).

The following week we have 2 spots open for a trip to the Mack on Saturday (6/20) and 4 spots on Sunday (6/21 7AM).

To track our charter availability, please check our website often as we have created a new page on the site. Also, at the website you can download a pdf of our liability release to save time and effort at the dock.

C’ ya on the Lake,
Capt. Jim Gentile
Windy City Diving, Inc.
TX: 630.209.2445
FX: 630.783.1406
Jim@WindyCityDiving.Net
http://www.WindyCityDiving.Net

[crosseyed95]

Thanks for the report.

[Formerly 45yroldNewbie]

Here's the latest...Still too cold but getting there. Maybe by the end of July?!?!? This report also highlights a potential accident caused by pure stupidity....

Dear Great Lake Divers,

I’ve been trying to remember when it was that I had 4 days in a row where the Lake had seas under 1 foot over a weekend, but I don’t recall. Saturday we went out with 5 divers and a bubble watcher. Seas were predicted to be 1 – 3 feet, but fortunately we got 1 footers. About half way to the Mack, the seas “settled down” to a gentle roll and the clouds moved in. By the time we got to the Mack it was lightly raining. As Capt. Bob had just tied into the stern, we moored on the bow and deployed our dive flags and mastlights, as visibility was limited.

After putting all my divers in, another boat pulled up. He didn’t hail anyone on the radio or by voice, he just pulled up and tried to hook the wreck with his anchor. Now not only is he violating the law by operating his vessel within 150 feet of a properly marked boat engaged in diving, but his actions were rude at best and plain out right dangerous. If you any of you divers know boaters, for your own safety, warn them against being an idiot! BTW, besides being an idiot he was also inept as he was unable to hook the wreck and ended up floating off and waiting until I cleared the wreck after our dive. The dives on the Mack were good. Viz = +50 and the temp was a warm 47F. Perch and alewives were present. For 3 out of the 5 divers this was their first Lake Michigan wreck dives, not bad.

Next we went to the Wings of Wind. Seas were still calm and of course it was still raining. Though small in size the Wings is a pretty dive. Viz had dropped to around 30 ft and the temp was 53F. Lots of crawfish, perch and of course gobies. The crawfish really entertained the divers with their antics of rearing up and garnishing their claws.

Sunday was great except for the flies. The Lake was flat. Wind NE at 3 kts. 50 minutes after leaving Burnham we are on the Mack with +100 FEET of VIZ!! (at the bow you could clearly see the stack house) water temp dropped to 45F and the perch and alewive population was less. Except for the temp you would swear you were off the Carolinas. Most of the divers in this group were in wetsuits. They came up thrilled but chilled. We then motored back to the Wings eating Windy City Diving pineapple along the way. At the Wings the viz was again around 30 and the temp was 53F. When we got near the harbor the flies left. Fortunately they didn’t bite but they were still annoying.

Monday, yes we at WCD dive during the week too, we headed to the Rotarian. If your not familiar with its colorful history it truly represents the Al Capone haydays of Chicago. People still find prohibition era beer bottles at the site. The Lake was as flat as it gets with a gentle 2 kt East breeze, it was sunny, it was just a great day to be on the Lake. The Rotarian sits in 82 feet of water and the temp was 47F w/ varying viz. We had a great view of the City and an excellent view of Air Force One as she flew overhead.

This weekend we are full on Saturday but I have 2 spots available for Sunday morning June 21st and I also have 2 spots available the following Sunday June 28th.

Hope to C’ya on the Lake,
Capt. Jim Gentile
Windy City Diving, Inc.
TX: 630.209.2445
FX: 630.783.1406
Jim@WindyCityDiving.Net
http://www.WindyCityDiving.Net







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