I've recently been tipped off about the location of quite a bit of Gold/Silver in a Northern Indiana Lake. The story goes: Back in the 50's an eccentric old man on his death bed became mad that his children had turned out so badly that he took his life savings of gold/silver and tossed it into the lake. (around $250,000 at the time)
Now I know it seems FAR fetched, and thats why i've for the most part ignored it, but recently at a christmas the topic came up. There was a retired local pastor there that revieled that it was a TRUE story, and he was the one that the old man told where he had disposed of the loot. He said he had never told anyone where it was, and hadn't thought about it in decades.
Now the hard part the area covers about ten acres, and after 50+ years is probably six feet into the mud. Visibility is typically 5-10 feet (until it gets stirred up). Anyone who has dove N. Indiana knows what I'm talking about!

My Questions:
**What would be the most efficient way to search ? (without doubling over the same spot). I was thinking about a grid system ( but this area is heavily fished, and thought they would just keep snagging the lines)
**What type of metal detector would be best for looking through 5'+ of mud?
**Would a magnometer be practical in an area of 10+ acres, and where could I rent/borrow a cheap one?
**What would be the best method of excavating the site? With deep mud and ZERO vis. by the time we get started?

Any tips/hints would be greatly appreciated, and anyone with EQUIPTMENT (metal detector, Knowlege, ETC.) there are possibilities to tag along........