How deep is West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point)?

West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point) ranges from 3 to 41.5 metres deep (10–136 feet) — a deep dive at its limit. It is a freshwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point) a shore dive or a boat dive?

West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point) can be dived from shore or by boat. The entry is recorded as an easy walk-in. The entry area is recorded as sheltered from surge. Basic facilities are recorded at or near the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point)?

West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point) is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 3 to 41.5 metres (10–136 feet). Access is from shore or by boat, with the entry recorded as an easy walk-in. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point)?

Divers at West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point) in United States commonly report sightings of White bass, Northern pike, Bluegill, Yellow perch, and Muskellunge. White bass, Bluegill, and Yellow perch are recorded as common sightings, while Northern pike and Muskellunge are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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

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IntermediateBoth

West Lake Okoboji (Arnolds Park / Pillsbury Point)

Iowa, United StatesDirections

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 an 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 White bass, Northern pike, and Bluegill. 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: Heavy summer boat traffic, multiple thermoclines, reduced summer visibility, cold water below the thermocline

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Mon

Fri—

Sat13:00–20:00

Sun7:00–20:00

Mon19:00–20:00

Tue10:00–20:00

Wed8:00–20:00

Thu8:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:27 · Sunrise 6:56 · Sunset 19:38

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: White bass, Bluegill, Yellow perch

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.

Jan61% 13 kn
Feb58% 14 kn
Mar49% 14 kn
Apr34% 16 kn
May63% 13 kn
Jun61% 12 kn
Jul82% 10 kn
Aug81% 11 kn
Sep79% 11 kn
Oct57% 13 kn
Nov64% 13 kn
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

Fills & rentals nearby

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

Data updated June 2026

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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