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IntermediateShore entry

Pearl Lake

Illinois, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested3–26 m (10–85 ft) depthShore entry

Pearl Lake at a glance

Pearl Lake is an intermediate shore dive site in Illinois, United States with depths of 3–25.9 m (10–85 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Northern pike, Bluegill, and Channel catfish. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–18:00 · favorable · sunset 17:58

Wind forecast for this hour · 7:00 · run 7 h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Low visibility in mid-summer, swimmer and paddler traffic near the beach, thermocline at depth

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Sun8:00–18:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

Mon8:00–9:00 favorable, 9:00–11:00 moderate, 11:00–18:00 favorable

10 kn wind (10 kn wind)

Tue8:00–9:00 moderate, 9:00–18:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Wed8:00–18:00 favorable

9 kn wind (9 kn wind)

Thu10:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–18:00 favorable

8 kn wind (8 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

Sat8:00–10:00 favorable, 10:00–18:00 moderate

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:52 · Sunrise 7:21 · Sunset 17:58 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 25 Oct, 00:25 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Pearl Lake

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Bluegill, Crappie, Largemouth bass
Best time: Early season (May-June) before algae blooms reduce visibility

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. January, 83% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  2. February, 74% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 12 knots
  3. March, 70% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots
  4. April, 57% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 13 knots
  5. May, 78% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  6. June, 82% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  7. July, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 92% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  9. September, 93% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  10. October, 76% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  11. November, 77% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  12. December, 77% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots

July has typically 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

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

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.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Pearl Lake is a spring-fed former sand quarry in South Beloit at the Illinois-Wisconsin line, run as a campground and beach resort that has long served as the primary open-water training lake for Chicago and southern Wisconsin instructors. Average depths are 30-40 feet with a maximum around 85 feet, and sunken attractions include a 33-foot 'yellow submarine,' an airplane, boats, a bus, concrete culverts and an underwater buoyancy course. Diving runs roughly late April through October from 8am until dusk.

shorewreck

Low visibility in mid-summer, swimmer and paddler traffic near the beach, thermocline at depth

Reviews

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