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IntermediateShore entry

Pearl Lake

Illinois, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested3–26 m 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.

Wind model · graded 13h 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

Best: Tue
Fri7:00–20:00
Sat7:00–9:00
Sun7:00–20:00
Mon10:00–11:00
Tue12:00–20:00
Wed10:00–20:00
Thu7:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:03 · Sunrise 6:32 · Sunset 19:13

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 13h 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.

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. Jan83% 11 kn
  2. Feb74% 12 kn
  3. Mar70% 13 kn
  4. Apr57% 13 kn
  5. May78% 11 kn
  6. Jun82% 11 kn
  7. Jul94% 9 kn
  8. Aug92% 9 kn
  9. Sep93% 9 kn
  10. Oct76% 11 kn
  11. Nov77% 11 kn
  12. Dec77% 11 kn

July 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

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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