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Map of Big Blue (Lester Milligan Park)
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Shore entry

Big Blue (Lester Milligan Park)

Iowa, United States
Open Water suggested2–11 m depthShore entry

Big Blue (Lester Milligan Park) at a glance

Big Blue (Lester Milligan Park) is a shore dive site in Iowa, United States with depths of 1.5–10.7 m (5–35 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Bluegill, Largemouth bass, and Crappie. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 3h ago

Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Silt, cold bottom temperatures (~60F at depth in summer)

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Fri
Sun6:00–21:00
Mon6:00–21:00
Tue6:00–21:00
Wed7:00–21:00
Thu7:00–21:00
Fri7:00–21:00
Sat7:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:24 · Sunrise 5:57 · Sunset 20:41

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: Bluegill, Largemouth bass
Best time: Summer (surface ~70F)

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan77% 12 kn
  2. Feb67% 13 kn
  3. Mar49% 14 kn
  4. Apr38% 15 kn
  5. May70% 12 kn
  6. Jun68% 12 kn
  7. Jul87% 10 kn
  8. Aug80% 10 kn
  9. Sep91% 10 kn
  10. Oct61% 13 kn
  11. Nov66% 12 kn
  12. Dec81% 12 kn

September hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • BluegillCommonly seen
  • Largemouth bassCommonly seen
  • CrappieOccasionally seen

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. Know one? Add it to the map.

Site details

Big Blue is a flooded clay pit of about 14 acres in Lester Milligan Park on the west side of Mason City, used heavily for open-water training. Attractions include a training platform at about 13 ft, several derelict vehicles along the east side, and a roughly 25 ft sailboat. Maximum depth is about 33-35 ft with visibility around 20 ft.

shorewreck

Silt, cold bottom temperatures (~60F at depth in summer)


Reviews

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