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Map of West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point)
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IntermediateBoth

West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point)

Iowa, United States
Open Water suggested3–42 m depthBoth entry

West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point) at a glance

West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point) is a intermediate both dive site in Iowa, United States with depths of 3–41.5 m (10–136 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Bluegill, Smallmouth bass, and Walleye. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 3h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Heavy summer boat traffic, multiple thermoclines, reduced summer visibility, cold water below the thermocline

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Fri
Sun7:00–21:00
Mon7:00–21:00
Tue7:00–21:00
Wed7:00–21:00
Thu7:00–15:00
Fri7:00–21:00
Sat7:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:31 · Sunrise 6:04 · Sunset 20:49

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, Smallmouth bass, Walleye
Best time: Spring and fall for visibility; summer for warmth (5/4/3 mm wetsuit most of year, drysuit in winter/early spring)

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. Jan61% 13 kn
  2. Feb58% 14 kn
  3. Mar49% 14 kn
  4. Apr34% 16 kn
  5. May63% 13 kn
  6. Jun61% 12 kn
  7. Jul82% 10 kn
  8. Aug81% 11 kn
  9. Sep79% 11 kn
  10. Oct57% 13 kn
  11. Nov64% 13 kn
  12. Dec69% 13 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

  • BluegillCommonly seen
  • Smallmouth bassCommonly seen
  • WalleyeCommonly seen
  • Yellow perchCommonly seen
  • Northern pikeOccasionally seen
  • MuskellungeOccasionally seen
  • White bassCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Site details

West Lake Okoboji is a 3,800+ acre glacial lake and the clearest, deepest natural lake in Iowa, with visibility ranging from about 12 ft in summer to 40-70 ft in winter and early spring. Popular dives include three submerged pipelines (Pillsbury Point, the Milford Tower and The Inn), a truck that fell through the ice in the 1940s in Smith's Bay, scattered boat remains, and rocky points with drop-offs. Most aquatic life is seen between 10 and 40 ft, though the lake bottoms out around 136 ft.

boatshorewreck

Heavy summer boat traffic, multiple thermoclines, reduced summer visibility, cold water below the thermocline

Reviews

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