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Map of Montana Wreck (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary)
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IntermediateBoat entry

Montana Wreck (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary)

Michigan, United States
Open Water suggested11–20 m depthBoat entry

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Montana Wreck (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary) at a glance

Montana Wreck (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary) is a intermediate boat dive site in Michigan, United States with depths of 11–20.1 m (36–66 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Smallmouth bass, Round goby, and Burbot. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 4h ago
—

Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Cold fresh water, boat traffic, collapsed/broken bow timbers, mild exposure to Lake Huron weather

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sat
Sun7:00–22:00
Mon7:00–22:00
Tue7:00–22:00
Wed7:00–22:00
Thu7:00–22:00
Fri7:00–22:00
Sat7:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:37 · Sunrise 6:12 · Sunset 21:06

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 4h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

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: Smallmouth bass, Round goby, Zebra/quagga mussels
Best time: June-September; best visibility often early summer

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. Jan72% 12 kn
  2. Feb62% 13 kn
  3. Mar59% 13 kn
  4. Apr54% 13 kn
  5. May88% 10 kn
  6. Jun90% 10 kn
  7. Jul91% 9 kn
  8. Aug89% 10 kn
  9. Sep98% 9 kn
  10. Oct84% 11 kn
  11. Nov61% 13 kn
  12. Dec62% 13 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

  • Smallmouth bassCommonly seen
  • Round gobyCommonly seen
  • BurbotOccasionally seen
  • WalleyeOccasionally seen
  • Zebra/quagga musselsCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

The Montana was a 236-ft wooden steam package freighter that burned to the waterline and sank in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron in 1914. She rests in about 63-66 ft of water within Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary near Alpena, with an intact power train: a massive boiler, a three-story steam engine rising roughly 30 ft off the bottom, drive shaft and propeller. NOAA maintains seasonal bow and stern mooring buoys, and the wreck attracts game fish, making it a favorite for photographers.

boatwreck

Cold fresh water, boat traffic, collapsed/broken bow timbers, mild exposure to Lake Huron weather

Reviews

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