For decades Devil’s Lake State Park has been a popular Wisconsin scuba diving destination. With a maximum depth of about 45 feet, clear water, a fish-filled rocky shoreline, and no motor boats, Devil’s Lake is an ideal dive location.
Most diving takes place on the northeast side of the lake by the furthest parking lot past the East Bluff Trail Head. Divers cross the railroad tracks and either enter the water right from the parking lot or walk further south along the tracks to get to deeper water more quickly. It should be said that walking on or along the railroad tracks within the park is trespassing on posted railroad property. On average trains will pass through the park 2 times per day.
Divers often report better than expected clarity at the 20ft to 30ft range and lots of inquisitive fish to keep you company. Decades-old rumors of sunken train cars and steamboats have never been substantiated.
Water temperatures range from 70f in the summer to below 30 in the winter months. The park does not keep water temperature records and cannot report the water temp on any given day. Suffice to say, a 5mm to 7mm wetsuit is almost always a good idea.
There are no special dive rules at Devil’s Lake State Park other than you must have a surface flag of course and you cannot use a surface air pump or generator.