Advice Please - Treasure Hunting in Fresh Water Lake

[Tatlock]

Hi Everyone

I am new to the site and new to treasure hunting. Hopefully I can get some advice as to the best route to go with treasure hunting in a fresh water lake.

The lake is natural, oval in shape, roughly 3/4 mile at its widest point and 1/2 mile at its narrowest point, 3-6 feet visibility, silted lakebed, and 12 ft at its deepest.

I am looking for gold, silver and jewels all in a single cluster and not spread out. The target area is near the centre of the lake. So not too ambitious!!

I am a certified diver and have a Garrett Underwater Metal Detector. However, diving is not permitted in the lake.

I have considered using side scan sonar from a kayak and even a low cost ROV.

The lake is not privately owned and treasure hunting is not prohibited. However, I would like to keep this low key.

Many thanks for any assistance that can be given.

 

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[xr7ator]

Nighthawk it. Can't see anyway...

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I have a Dragonfly 4 Pro on my kayak and it is astonishing the detail the CHIRP DownVision provides. You can see branches and roots in submerged trees.

BUT, heavy stuff in a small lake could well have sunk into the silt. The Dragonfly also shows bottom density in a split screen you could see features and compare them to the relative density of the surrounding bottom.

Won't tell you if it is a rock or bag full of metal, though.

 

[Tatlock]

Thanks xr7ator. I had to google 'nighthawk'.
It is not a protected site, and to my knowledge there are no known archaeological artefacts.

 

[vpnavy]

I noticed this was your very first post Tatlock - so, Welcome Aboard! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forums: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country).

 

[xr7ator]

Hmmm. I've never googled nighthawk! Anyway, do it at night when the folks that would get upset for you breaking the no diving rule are sleeping.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

I'm sorry, we have to protect our hobby. We get enough restraints on us already. If it is forbidden to dive, it is forbidden to dive.

We should NOT support forbidden activities here.

I had a co-worker when I lived in Madison, Ohio in about 1986, who came in one Monday morning disgusted with the day before. He had a nice Sunday off, just resting and puttering around.

Then he happened to look out his front window and there was a stranger in his yard metal detecting, leaving a mess. He confronted the guy and the guy argued with him that he'd had the right to do it.

It was before and around this time when it seems like everywhere got ultra restrictive on where we could hunt = "No Metal Detecting" signs. One of the things which drove me out of the hobby for the 25 years til my return, was the 3 times I was tapped on the shoulder by county cops, and various others accosting me in public parks.

Stuff like that which is intended hurts this hobby.

We have to protect the rights we have left.

 

[ScubaDetector]

I'm sorry, we have to protect our hobby. We get enough restraints on us already. If it is forbidden to dive, it is forbidden to dive.

We should NOT support forbidden activities here.

I had a co-worker when I lived in Madison, Ohio in about 1986, who came in one Monday morning disgusted with the day before. He had a nice Sunday off, just resting and puttering around.

Then he happened to look out his front window and there was a stranger in his yard metal detecting, leaving a mess. He confronted the guy and the guy argued with him that he'd had the right to do it.

It was before and around this time when it seems like everywhere got ultra restrictive on where we could hunt = "No Metal Detecting" signs. One of the things which drove me out of the hobby for the 25 years til my return, was the 3 times I was tapped on the shoulder by county cops, and various others accosting me in public parks.

Stuff like that which is intended hurts this hobby.

We have to protect the rights we have left.

I will agree to an extent. What are the rules in making it prohibited to dive in? It is illegal to dive the Detroit River, for most people. You can read the law and find a LEGAL way to be able to dive.
Not saying this is your case but every law is different and has different wording.

However if it is forbidden period. I agree, don't try it.

I totally agree we have to protect our rights. That is why I went to court and have had all citations I have been given dismissed.

I refuse to be bullied by anyone, including police officers.

 

[AlienLifeForm]

You're not diving, you're simply swimming.

 

[releventchair]

Hmmm. I've never googled nighthawk! Anyway, do it at night when the folks that would get upset for you breaking the no diving rule are sleeping.

The o.p states diving is not permitted. You suggest doing it at night. No risk for you ehh?


Maybe a lighted dive flag will fix any legal issues.

 

[Tatlock]

Thanks Charlie P. The Dragonfly could be an option.

 

[Tatlock]

Thanks for the reply ScubaDetector. They have a valid reason for banning divers. The lake is one of a few remaining sites were a certain species of crayfish can be found, and the aim is to protect their numbers from reducing.

 

[ThePlaceWeSeek]

I'm sorry, we have to protect our hobby. We get enough restraints on us already. If it is forbidden to dive, it is forbidden to dive.

We should NOT support forbidden activities here.

I had a co-worker when I lived in Madison, Ohio in about 1986, who came in one Monday morning disgusted with the day before. He had a nice Sunday off, just resting and puttering around.

Then he happened to look out his front window and there was a stranger in his yard metal detecting, leaving a mess. He confronted the guy and the guy argued with him that he'd had the right to do it.

It was before and around this time when it seems like everywhere got ultra restrictive on where we could hunt = "No Metal Detecting" signs. One of the things which drove me out of the hobby for the 25 years til my return, was the 3 times I was tapped on the shoulder by county cops, and various others accosting me in public parks.

Stuff like that which is intended hurts this hobby.

We have to protect the rights we have left.

I know I'm new here, and me words ain't worth a rats arse... Nowever (heh)...

While it might be a hobby, it's a pirate's life for most. There is no denying it.

Also, I think that's a 4th Infantry Patch, yes? I served as a military brat (heh) in the cold war. My father being XO for 4th Infantry, Nuclear Combat, Wiesbaden Germany.

Either way. Thanks for kicking ass.

 

[ScubaDetector]

Thanks for the reply ScubaDetector. They have a valid reason for banning divers. The lake is one of a few remaining sites were a certain species of crayfish can be found, and the aim is to protect their numbers from reducing.

A side scan sonar finds iron. Not silver or gold. If diving is illegal no matter what then nobody here should encourage you to break the law. A couple of options. Google Trident drone. It is an underwater one and still hasn't shipped. I am still waiting for mine.

Since it isn't that deep they also make a waterproof camera that connects to a laptop.


You can't blow away the silt without disturbing the crayfish. I don't have a solid answer

 

[Patriot 1776]

I would go with the Garrett AT-Pro
10ft dept
sold Detector Great company
Call if you have any questions
dennis

 

[ScubaDetector]

I would go with the Garrett AT-Pro
10ft dept
sold Detector Great company
Call if you have any questions
dennis

And what is he going to do with it? Lake is 12' deep, he can't dive and if he uses that machine he will drown it and void the warranty. You are talking a lot of hard work and a major pain.

 

[Tnmountains]

Find another spot to hunt. The only way to hunt is the way that they ask you not to. Move on to greener pastures.

 

[4x4x4]

....How about a "Special recovery Permit" ....... Other Items may have been recovered in that way previously ? ......OR...... The powers that be , may be more interested in hiding something (treasure, Flux capacitor, Hoffa) than the safety of divers . Weren't you looking for lost jewelry from that last fishing trip ? Sure ! I'll agree to a "Hold Harmless" agreement !