[26] Lake Michigan has a surface area of 22,404sqmi (58,030km2); (13,237 square miles (34,280km2) lying in Michigan,[6] 7,358 square miles (19,060km2) in Wisconsin, 234 square miles (610km2) in Indiana, & 1,576 square miles (4,080km2) in Illinois) making it the largest lake entirely within one country by surface area (Lake Baikal in Russia is larger by water volume) and the fifth-largest lake in the world. This program was so successful that the introduced population of trout and salmon exploded, resulting in the creation of a large sport fishery for these introduced species. Average monthly sea temperatures in Lake Michigan Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec C: 3.4: 2.7: 2.7: 3.4: 4.7: 11.3: 19.6: 21.4: 19.3: June: The run for steelhead is coming to an end in the early summer and they can be found in warmer waters in the lake. Lake Michigan Sea Temperature | May Average | United States Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 28F to 69F during the spring months. In this article, we will discover the best times of day to fish Lake Michigan for a variety of species. The southern and eastern beaches are typically sandy and dune-covered. More Lake Michigan water level impacts can be found in our past news stories. Beach Hazards Awareness 20 mph. series: { Lake Michigan Sea Temperature | July Average | United States Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. We use data from various sources, including National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA), meteorological services of different countries, data received from more than a thousand buoys around the world, satellite systems for scanning the surface of the oceans and seas. A lot of fish can be found in the Muskegon River. ['Year', 'Max. After the 2060s, Lake Michigan will not freeze. Sharma, an associate professor at York University, has been studying ice for over a decade. [St.Joseph] The most recent period with similar lake levels was 1986-1987. Surface data comes from NDBC buoy 45007. There are numerous state and local parks located on the shores of the lake or on islands within the lake: Big Sable Point, Michigan in Ludington State Park, Lake view from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with people climbing uphill, Eichelman Park in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with Lake Michigan in the background, Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline from Portage, Indiana. Current water temperature in Lake Michigan Max: 4.2C / 39.6F Avg: 2.7C / 36.9F This means that areas may be depicted as flooding that are not connected to Lake Michigan. Salmon go to deeper waters of Lake Michigan during the spring months. [Frankfort] Today water temperature in Lake Michigan is 35.4F. Fishing for largemouth bass is incredible. Afrikaans; ; ; Asturianu; Azrbaycanca; ; Bn-lm-g; ; ; ; Bosanski For more detailed information about water temperature, surf forecast, weather and time of sunrise and sunset in any specific area of your interest, just click on a city name. Fishermen should book a charter boat and use trolling to fish Lake Michigan in the spring. FreshwaterFishingAdvice is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. To find out the sea temperature today . Fire 33.3, [12], Some of the most studied early human inhabitants of the Lake Michigan region were the Hopewell Native Americans. There is also some shipping of liquid and containerized cargo, but most container vessels cannot pass the locks on the Saint Lawrence Seaway because the ships are too wide. Average monthly sea temperatures in Lake Michigan Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec C: 3.4: 2.7: 2.7: 3.4: 4.7: 11.3: 19.6: 21.4: 19.3: A new report says that could mean trouble for game fish", "What happens when Lake Superior has too much water? Hundreds of thousands of salmon head into rivers and smaller creeks to spawn and die. 4: { color: '#FFCC66', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, [32] Since then water levels rebounded, rising more than 6 feet (1.8 metres) to historical record high levels.[34][31]. Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario, form the largest group of freshwater . 39.7, The total amount of shipping on the lakes has been on a downward trend for several years. ['January', Are the Great Lakes a Microplastic Soup With PFAS On the Side? Text Products We use data from various local authorities in each specific location of the world to more accurately reflect temperature values. In general, this water temperature is unacceptable for swimming. The chances to catch a trophy fish are high during this time of the year. For ease of search, all places are also grouped by the first letter of the name. ['July', Last summer, Lake Michigan was 10 degrees above normal, which resulted in the water taking longer to cool down in the winter. [South Haven] Fish gets active in the spring and early summer. Lake Michigans fishing is very productive in the fall. Photos will be available to all users after verification by the moderator. [ Beaver Island] [ Escanaba] [ Leland] [ Frankfort] [ Manistee] [ Ludington] [ Pentwater] To the east, its basin is conjoined with that of Lake Huron through the .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}3+12 miles (5.6 kilometres) wide, 295 feet (90 metres; 49 fathoms) deep,[8] Straits of Mackinac, giving it the same surface elevation as its easterly counterpart; the two are technically a single lake. Lake Michigan water levels remain near the highest observed monthly levels (since at least 1918). The normal high-water mark is 2.00 feet (0.61m) above datum (577.5ft (176.0m)). Salmon fishing is very productive between late morning and afternoon hours. The southern tip of the lake near Gary, Indiana, is heavily industrialized. January: Steelhead is preparing for spawning season after the fall run in January. 9.2, Explore the NEW USGS National Water Dashboard interactive map to access real-time water data from over 13,500 stations nationwide. [Racine] Outlooks 11.7, 36.3, At such a temperature, only a short-term immersion is possible, otherwise rapid hypothermia will occur. Seasonal overturn and stratification changes drive deep-water - Nature 52.2, A lot of salmon can be found in the lakes harbors and in the Muskegon River. The long term trend for both precipitation and evaporation has been upward over the last several decades. Lake Michigan is now stocked annually with steelhead, brown trout, and coho and chinook salmon, which have also begun natural reproduction in some Lake Michigan tributaries. Twelve million people live along Lake Michigan's shores, mainly in the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. In June water temperature throughout Lake Michigan is not yet warm enough for swimming and does not exceed 68F. Salmon fishing is excellent in July. google.charts.load('current', {packages:['corechart']}); Steelhead run begins after the salmon run. Please Contact Us. Water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay today is 35.1F. The best time to visit would be during the summer months as the choice of activities are far and wide. Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 32F to 54F. Lake Michigan, like the other Great Lakes, supplies drinking water to millions of people in bordering areas. Salmon can be found in large schools this month. If you have interesting photos of this place, you can upload them here. Photo courtesy of Matt Zuro. Privacy Policy Copyright 2023 Thumbwind Publications LLC, Earths lakes are warming at a feverish pace, with the Great Lakes leading the way, Forecasting the Permanent Loss of Lake Ice in the Northern Hemisphere Within the 21st Century, first reports of the smelly black muck were reported near Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, 10 Small Towns With Big City Michigan Crime Rates, Oak Wilt Disease a Threat to Michigan Thumbs Red Oaks, Port Hope Festival Lights the Fuse For July 4th. The lake is flanked by multiple long bays, including Green Bay in the northwest, and Grand Traverse and Little Traverse bays in the northeast. However, full-day fishing trips are more expensive than half-day ones. Its possible to fish for salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, and yellow perch during these months. Study: Depths Of Lake Michigan Are Getting Warmer. ['February', Here, you will find yourself walking on the singing sands of the shore or feasting your eyes on the beautiful blue waters of the lake. Whihala Beach in Whiting, IN. [Sheboygan] Oftentimes, largemouth bass bites well on Indianas shoreline and near rocky areas. Get Five Decades Of Great Lakes Ice Cover Data. Photos will be available to all users after verification by the moderator. The season to fish for smallmouth bass is high between early May and July. The water temperature today roughly corresponds to the average value on this day in recent years. NWS [30] As with the high-water records, monthly low-water records were set each month from February 1964 through January 1965. [Pentwater] In general, the swimming season ends in September. Commercial tug-and-barge traffic on these waterways is heavy. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 36.9F / 2.7C. October: A lot of salmon can be found in the Muskegon River between the middle of October. Located on the southern side of the straits is the town of Mackinaw City, Michigan, the site of Fort Michilimackinac, a reconstructed French fort founded in 1715, and on the northern side is St. Ignace, Michigan, site of a French Catholic mission to the Indians, founded in 1671. Water temperature in Lake Michigan (United States) in September If you prefer to take it easy, there are a number of camping spots around the lake. Current water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay. A warmer lake could also potentially lead to a longer lake effect snow season, as it will take longer for the lake to cool off to freezing temps and begin to create ice cover.. Despite their vast size, large sections of the Great Lakes freeze in winter, interrupting most shipping. Anglers can fish for brown trout and lake trout as well as Coho salmon and Chinook salmon in May. ['June', All that warm water is potential energy for precipitation production. However, if the lack of rain continues then the risk of an algae bloom is reduced. ', 'AVG', 'Min.' 68.4, Our report for Great Lakes is compiled using satellite data together with in-situ observations to get the most reliable daily data of sea surface temperatures, surf forecasts, current temperatures and weather forecasts. Can you swim in Lake Michigan in summer? "Where to Find Petoskey Stones in Michigan." Near South Shore Drive in Chicago, IL on Jan 11. WATERTEMPERATURE.NET - Wordwide Water Temperatures. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charters respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate. Questions? 5: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, Michigans Water temperatures in all five Great Lakes have been hovering at record-high fall levels since October, roughly five to six degrees above average. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. The coldest month is March with an water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. }, We use cookies to best represent our site. Also indicated are the maximum and minimum water temperatures that were recorded this month for the last ten years. Counted together, it is the largest body of fresh water in the world by surface area. NOAA Weather Radio Each basin has a clockwise flow of water, deriving from rivers, winds, and the Coriolis effect. From May to October, the historic steamship, SSBadger, operates daily between Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Ludington, Michigan,[46] connecting U.S. Highway 10 between the two cities. It started in 2009 as a fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan is the best in spring and the early fall. In the early 17th century, when western European explorers made their first forays into the region, they encountered descendants of the Late Woodland Native Americans: the historic Chippewa; Menominee; Sauk; Fox; Winnebago; Miami; Ottawa; and Potawatomi peoples. Weather Indiana Dunes National Park's weather is greatly affected by Lake Michigan and can change quickly. Mike Hardy is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. 1, Find out the temperature of sea water in more than 12000 cities and resorts around the world. Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook [13] In the earliest European maps of the region, the name of Lake Illinois has been found in addition to that of "Michigan", named for the Illinois Confederation of tribes. But the wider ocean-going container ships that were developed later do not fit through the locks on these routes, which limits shipping on the lakes. 14.9, This is noticeable after heavy rain or after prolonged periods of strong winds. Statistics - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Michigan City] The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Summers are warm and humid with high temperatures generally in the mid-80F's (30 C) and low temperatures in the mid-60F's (18C). This comes on the heels of very high-temperature rises throughout the summer. Anglers can catch brown trout, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye, and coho salmon during this time of the year. 2.7, Click and drag to zoom in on the chart, and hover to see point values. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this . Lake Michigan Water Temperature: Forecasts & current water temp Lake Michigan now averages 74 degrees on the surface, which is 11 degrees warmer than the historical average water temperature on this date. I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. Rich, Burr Ridge Chicago, IL on Jan 11. The Chicago Tribune reported that BP is a major polluter, dumping thousands of pounds of raw sludge into the lake every day from its Whiting, Indiana, oil refinery. 71.8, ], The Conference came into force, in December 2008, with the enactment of laws in all of the states and the two provinces, and the enactment of a United States federal law. Friday pollen count and Lake Michigan water temps | WGN-TV 10.1], 59, [40] Many seasonal residents have summer homes along the waterfront and return to other homes for the winter. [35] In March 2014 BP's Whiting refinery was responsible for spilling more than 1,600 US gallons (6,100L) of oil into the lake. [24], Hydrologically Michigan and Huron are the same body of water (sometimes called Lake Michigan-Huron) but are normally considered distinct. [21][22] The warming of Lake Michigan was the subject of a 2018 report by Purdue University. This experimental product is still in development. [Beaver Island] var chart_waterF = document.getElementById('chart_waterF'); NOAA is reporting that water temperature is running 6 to 10 degrees above normal, resulting in setting new records on lakes Michigan-Huron, Erie, and Ontario. [23], The Milwaukee Reef, running under Lake Michigan from a point between Milwaukee and Racine to a point between Grand Haven and Muskegon, divides the lake into northern and southern basins. The record surface temps will undoubtedly impact that moderating effect. September: Its possible to catch a trophy Chinook salmon in September. Lake Michigan Beach Forecast 33.1, For a complete breakdown of the quality of fishing in Lake Michigan, check out this article. ', 'AVG', 'Min. The water heats up and the activity of fish increases. Seasonal Guide: Best Times to Catch Big Bass. Steelhead bites well during low light conditions. [14] During the 1640s and 1650s, the Beaver Wars over the fur trade with the European colonies, initiated by the Iroquois, forced a massive demographic shift as their western neighbors fled the violence. For more inland areas such as marinas, protected harbors, and the lower reaches of some rivers, the average lake level plus storm surge is important. Time of day and wind direction may have a temporary local effect as can water flows from neraby rivers. ['May', Presented weather data are now available for each of the resorts. Whether the data are measured in 'mm' over the lake surface or cubic meters per second ('cms', for those variables dealing with water volumes) For temperatures, whether the data are for the average 'max'imum, 'min'imum, or 'mean' air temperature over a particular month, and whether the temperatures are 'mod'elled (water temps). A lot of Chinook and Coho salmons can be found in the lake. The Lake Michigan Water Temperatures also happen to be at their warmest in July and August, reaching highs of up to 70 degrees, making water activities perfect. On the other hand if you are an adrenalin junky, then go ahead and try out the swimming, hiking and horse back riding activities. Lake levels are now high enough to impact more inland areas, such as protected harbors and overbank areas along some rivers. With an average temperature of roughly 59F, Lake Superior is at an all-time high for this time of year. Lake Huron average water temperature this. 6.8, 17.9], February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average temperature. [17] French coureurs des bois and voyageurs established small ports and trading communities, such as Green Bay, on the lake during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The temperatures given are the sea surface temperature (SST) which is most relevant to recreational users. The biggest surprise is Lake Superior with water temps near 70F along the western shore near Duluth, Ashland, and Ontonagon. Fisheries in inland waters of the United States are small compared to marine fisheries. CoCoRaHs In July water temperature in some cities of Lake Michigan is above 68F and it is enough for comfortable bathing. 1.1], 11.4], Skywarn Green Bay in the northwest is its largest bay. Lake Michigan sunset from the R/V Laurentian, July 2011. [Muskegon/Grand Haven] Its a good idea to fish Lake Michigan during afternoon hours at any time of the year. To learn how good the fishing on Lake Erie is, check out this article. Environmental problems can still plague the lake. In the winter of 1964, Lakes Michigan and Huron reached their lowest level at 1.38 feet (42cm) below datum. Lake Superior's long-term average surface water temperature is around 46 degrees now, but the lake is. The Straits of Mackinac were an important Native American and fur trade route. [41] Michigan's commercial fishery today consists mainly of 150 tribe-licensed commercial fishing operations through the Chippewa-Ottawa Resource Authority and tribes belonging to the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, which harvest 50 percent of the Great Lakes commercial catch in Michigan waters, and 45 state-licensed commercial fishing enterprises. [43], Like all of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan is today used as a major mode of transport for bulk goods. The region is often referred to as the "Third Coast"[37] of the United States, after those of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this time of year. Water temperature range in Lake Michigan in March is from 28 to 42 degrees. 53.1, Whilst sea temperatures for Lake Michigan are as accurate as current data allows, there may be slight local and regional variations depending on conditions. 52.5, A lot of anglers choose to fish Lake Michigan early in the morning. 26.4, Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in August is 60F, maximum - 77F. The hottest month of the year in Lake Michigan Beach is July, with an average high of 80F and low of 63F. August is the month with the highest water temperature at 77.9F / 25.5C. NOAAs surface water temperature forecasts show the entire southern Lake Huron basin hovering around the upper 70s. To find out the sea temperature today and in the coming days, go to Current sea temperature in Lake Michigan. 40.5: 52.3: 67.3: 70.5: 66.7: 54.7: 46.6: 40.3: Monthly average max / min water temperatures. Home You would have to be insane or getting paid to want to get in water this cold! But hardened people can afford to be in such water for 5-10 minutes. 21.3, The lakes were 29in (0.74m) below their long-term average and had declined 17 inches since January 2012. The warmest water temperature in Michigan today is 41.5F (Sault Sainte Marie), and the coldest temperature is 32F (Lexington). ['December', Knowing the best times and seasons to fish this massive body of water can help you put bigger fish in the boat. I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really loved fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years. Turns out it's not the only one! In recent years, at the beginning of the month, the temperature value here is at around 71F, and by the end of the month the water warms up to 61F. This was, in order of volume: iron ore, grain and potash. This site is owned and operated by Eric Matechak. This is likely to lead to decreasing native habitat and to adversely affect native species survival, including game fish.