[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. Local anglers can catch a variety of fish species in the lake during the fall months. November: November is a great time to fish for steelhead in Lake Michigan. 15, (overcast clouds) Wind. Data Download - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 58F to 82F during the summer months. 2.7, The coldest in March with an average water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. At the start of the year, only 3% of the Great Lakes were covered in . 4, Grand Traverse Bay in its northeast is another large bay. Average water temperature in the first decade is 69F, in the middle of the month - 66F, and at the end - 63F. 33.3, Salmon fishing is excellent in July. [31], Lake levels tend to be the lowest in winter. [Holland/Saugatuck] Lake Michigan located in the northern hemisphere, at latitude 43 degrees. Some icebreakers ply the lakes. However, full-day fishing trips are more expensive than half-day ones. Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 44F to 69F. Elevated lake levels increase impacts along the shore during storm events. [ Beaver Island] [ Escanaba] [ Leland] [ Frankfort] [ Manistee] [ Ludington] [ Pentwater] This comes on the heels of very high-temperature rises throughout the summer. You are not limited to certain recreational activities and you are free to experience all that this beautiful place has to offer. 70.3, Lake Michigan is a town close to Great Lakes,lake. 9.2, October was exceptionally warm, with air temperatures at land sites around the lakes ranging from 5 to 10 degrees above long-term norms. to as low as $0.40/lb during periods of high production. Lake Michigan Sea Temperature | May Average | United States Lake Michigan water temperature right now Below are the cities and resorts in Lake Michigan with the values of water temperature today and yesterday. [6][27] It contains a volume of 1,180 cubic miles (4,918km) of water. Best Times & Seasons to Fish Lake Michigan (Full Guide) ['October', [Southern Region], Lake Michigan Port Images Great Lakes' water temperatures back to mid-summer feel February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average air temperature. Winter Weather Preparedness Ocean Color 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). Photos will be available to all users after verification by the moderator. 6.8, The long term trend for both precipitation and evaporation has been upward over the last several decades. Twelve million people live along Lake Michigan's shores, mainly in the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. August is the month with the hottest water temperature at 77.9F / 25.5C. [30] As with the high-water records, monthly low-water records were set each month from February 1964 through January 1965. The southern and eastern beaches are typically sandy and dune-covered. Fishing for largemouth bass is incredible. series: { To learn how good the fishing on Lake Erie is, check out this article. Lake Michigan Sea Temperature | July Average | United States Water temperature in Lake Michigan (United States) in June 1, Knowing the best and worst conditions can have an outsized impact on how many bass you will catch. Weeks of hot weather, scant precipitation, and low winds have pushed the water temps into near-record temps in four of the five Great Lakes. Great Lakes waters are warmest on record for early July - The , This experimental product is still in development, Lake Michigan Regions This experimental product is still in development. Text Products google.charts.setOnLoadCallback(drawChart); 26.4, Lake Michigan - Wikipedia Max: 4.2C / 39.6F Avg: 2.7C / 36.9F March: Steelhead spawning run starts in March. 59, Aviation The comfortable water temperature for swimming is set here in July, almost always only at the end of the month. Ports along its shores include Chicago in Illinois, Gary in Indiana, Milwaukee and Green Bay in Wisconsin, and Muskegon in Michigan. When algae die it floats to the surface and acts like a sponge, capturing E.coli and fecal runoff from farm fields sprayed with animal waste and overflow septic systems. [24], The sand dunes located on the east shore of Lake Michigan are the largest freshwater dune system in the world. format: '#F'}, Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in August is 60F, maximum - 77F. July, June, August, September would be the best time to visit. ['April', In July water temperature in some cities of Lake Michigan is above 68F and it is enough for comfortable bathing. 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. The waters of Lake Michigan are full of largemouth bass. Fishermen get a lot of bites during the midday hours. [10] It is shared, from west to east, by the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The primary driver of water levels are precipitation, evaporation, and river flow into the lakes, also referred to as "net basin supply." More information about factors affecting lake levels is available from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay today | MI, United States temp Lowest - in Kotzebue, there water temperature now 28F. Salmon can be found in large schools this month. Anglers can fish for brown trout and lake trout as well as Coho salmon and Chinook salmon in May. Based on our historical data over a period of ten years, the warmest water in this day in Grand Traverse Bay was recorded in 2020 and was 35.8F, and the coldest was recorded in 2014 at 30.9F. GLERL 11.4], A lot of anglers choose to fish Lake Michigan early in the morning. In addition of the water temperature, also shown air temperature, weather conditions and the wave heights on the coast. [Leland] For a complete breakdown of the quality of fishing in Lake Michigan, check out this article. Water cools down and thats why fish bite well during the morning hours in summer. 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. Current water temperature in Lake Michigan In early summer, its possible to fish for steelhead at any time of the day. 50.2, 1: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, On the other hand if you are an adrenalin junky, then go ahead and try out the swimming, hiking and horse back riding activities. Traditionally, a lot of anglers visit the lake in June, July, and August. 0.6, WaterTemperature.net All Rights Reserved. }. Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan is the best in spring and the early fall. If we continue to generate greenhouse gases at current rate, Lake Superior would not freeze after the 2060s, said researcher Sapna Sharma. Holiday Climate Data For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Erie, please check out this helpful article. The Chicago city waterfront has been developed for parks, beaches, harbors and marinas, and residential developments connected by the Chicago Lakefront Trail. Steel mills and refineries operate near the Indiana shoreline. Multiple locations were found. Frankfort, Platte Bay, and Grand Haven are good fishing spots to target Lake Michigan in the fall. ', 'Max. ['May', I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really loved fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years. Great Lakes water levels are based upon a combination of multiple factors, including precipitation, evaporation, river flow into the lakes, river flow out of the lakes, and other diversions. Seasonal overturn and stratification changes drive deep-water - Nature 63.9, Once you arrive here, you will find that there is no shortage of activities or entertainment. Friday pollen count and Lake Michigan water temps | WGN-TV [Frankfort] Fisheries in inland waters of the United States are small compared to marine fisheries. [Waukegan] It is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume[5] (1,180cumi (4,900km3)) and the third-largest by surface area (22,404sqmi (58,030km2)), after Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The coldest month is March with an water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. In multiple locations along the shoreline, the dunes rise several hundred feet above the lake surface. This site is owned and operated by Eric Matechak. The price for lake whitefish dropped from $1.04/lb. 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. The lakes were frozen 11 days later and thawed seven days sooner. The Mackinac Bridge is generally considered the dividing line between them. 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. Mike Hardy is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. 53.1, Water temperature in Lake Michigan (United States) in August Here weve plotted the entire dataset for interactive exploration. Some beaches have sand dunes covered in green beach grass and sand cherries, and the water is usually clear and cool, between 55 and 80F (13 and 27C),[38] even in the late summer months. Retrieved from. The biggest surprise is Lake Superior with water temps near 70F along the western shore near Duluth, Ashland, and Ontonagon. [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. Seasonal Guide: Best Times to Catch Big Bass. 40.5: 52.3: 67.3: 70.5: 66.7: 54.7: 46.6: 40.3: Monthly average max / min water temperatures. [Central Northern Region] In each decade since 1980, steady increases in obscure surface temperature have occurred. Lake Michigan at Near-Record High Water Levels - National Weather Service This formation lies 40 feet (12m) below the surface of the lake. We have no information as to whether it is valid and what flights it receives or sends. Lake levels are tied to multiple factors such as precipitation, evaporation, and river flow. 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. Data: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory - Ann Arbor A lot of anglers choose to fish in the lake in the morning during the summer months. 100%. Average annual water temperature on the coast in Lake Michigan is 48F, by the seasons: in winter 38F, in spring 38F, in summer 62F, in autumn 54F. It started in 2009 as a fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. Full-day fishing trips are suitable for anglers, who want to get the most out of a fishing trip on Lake Michigan. Steelhead can be found in the lakes tributaries. Lake Michigan water levels over the last decade have included both near record lows and near record highs. 20.2, Weather - Indiana Dunes National Park (U.S. National Park Service) 39.4, If you prefer to take it easy, there are a number of camping spots around the lake. 34.2, 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. 77.4, The graph below shows the range of monthly Lake Michigan water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. October was the hottest on record in a number of areas. 2023 Copyright Freshwater Fishing Advice, link to Best Water Temperatures for Perch Fishing (Complete Guide), link to Seasonal Guide: Best Times to Catch Big Bass. temperature is around 72.5F / 22.5C, August is the month with the highest temperature. Recent increases in water temperature have mostly been driven by warming during the spring and summer months (see Figure 2). Student Opportunities 78.6, Despite their vast size, large sections of the Great Lakes freeze in winter, interrupting most shipping. Water temperature in Lake Michigan in Large Lakes now Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in June is 41F, maximum - 62F. ['January', But hardened people can afford to be in such water for 5-10 minutes. Home Two passenger and vehicle ferries operate ferry services across Lake Michigan, both connecting Wisconsin on the western shore with Michigan on the east. Today water temperature in Lake Michigan is 35.4F. To develop a forecast, we use our own mathematical model, which takes into account the current change in water temperature, historical data and the main weather trends, wind strength and direction, air temperature in each specific region. 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: This was, in order of volume: iron ore, grain and potash. [25], Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is wholly within the borders of the United States; the others are shared with Canada. A new report says that could mean trouble for game fish", "What happens when Lake Superior has too much water? 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. Timing can have a heavy influence on the success you have in catching bass. Beach Hazards Awareness Open water along three sides of Huron County at the tip of the Thumb could mean a very snowy winter. Milwaukee October 30, 2022. Summer is the best season for trophy-class salmon. [19], The first person to reach the deep bottom of Lake Michigan was J. Val Klump, a scientist at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee in 1985. the shaded band shows the range of monthly average water levels, and the line in the middle shows the If the lakes dont freeze over during the winter months the open water provides cold prevailing winds a source of moisture for snow. Hot-summer humid continental climate would be the climate here. Weather Indiana Dunes National Park's weather is greatly affected by Lake Michigan and can change quickly. Disclaimer The most recent period with similar lake levels was 1986-1987. Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 51F to 74F. Anglers should aim to focus on steelhead and salmon when fishing the waters of Lake Michigan during the fall months. Lake Michigan's fishing is very productive in the fall. Salmon continues to bite until the late summer. Lake Michigan is the world's largest lake by area located fully in one country. Weather Safety (Spanish) 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. The annual harvest declined from an average of 11million pounds (5,000,000kg) from 1981 through to 1999 to more recent annual harvests of 8 to 9.5million pounds (3,600,000 to 4,300,000kg). Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. Lake Superior has stayed warmer than average throughout this year, including now. In-Situ Ice fishing has to be done in shallow waters. 7, There is a concern that the record-setting Great Lakes water temps could lead to the growth of cyanobacteria; specifically with high Saginaw Bay water temps. Fish that are waiting to spawn actively feed this month. 36.9, Since the summer, abnormally high air temperatures have raised Great Lakes water temperatures. Get Five Decades Of Great Lakes Ice Cover Data. The southern tip of the lake near Gary, Indiana, is heavily industrialized. Select the continent of interest, the day of the month and the required water temperature, Places with the warmest average water temperature in Lake Michigan in July. Long term average surface water temperature compared to current year (csv data files in degree Celsius or degree Fahrenheit) Superior. Lake freighters are used on the lakes that are too large to pass the locks and enter the ocean. Please select one of the following: Lake Michigan water levels remain near the highest observed monthly levels (since at least 1918). The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. You can find out detailed data on how the water temperature in Lake Michigan changes in each specific month: The warmest water today in United States recorded in Cutler, its value is 79F. Photos will be available to all users after verification by the moderator. [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. Water Temperatures Lake Michigan Rising Last 30 years - AccuWeather Lake Michigan is home to a small variety of fish species and other organisms. A lot of rainbow trout can be found in the many streams and tributaries around the lake. USGS Current Water Data for Michigan. You can travel to the Lake Michigan area by plane, train, car or boat. Also, fishermen can expect the peak of summer heat during the summertime. [36], Lake Michigan has many beaches. 34.2, 4: { color: '#FFCC66', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, The fish will bite well during warm days. Want to Know the Best Time of Day to Fish? The normal low-water mark is 1.00 foot (30cm) below datum (577.5 ft or 176.0 m). December: December is a great month for steelhead the tributaries of Lake Michigan. 1: { color: '#FFCC66', targetAxisIndex:0, lineWidth: 8 }, "Mackinac Bridge History, Facts and Figures", Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, "The World's 25 Largest Lakes, Side by Side", "Superior Watershed Partnership Projects", "Variations in Sediment Accumulation Rates and the Flux of Labile Organic Matter in Eastern Lake Superior Basins", "Possible mastodon carving found on rock", "Rock brings history to surface (pictures)", "Lake Michigan is warming. Rainbow trout and brown trout bite well in February. 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.. . Anglers spend a whole day on fishing and have a good chance to catch a trophy. Salmon go to deeper waters of Lake Michigan during the spring months. The biggest surprise is Lake Superior with water temps near 70F along the western shore near Duluth, Ashland, and Ontonagon. [Sturgeon Bay], Select a label to view regional or port area surface temperature map, One of the stones is said to have a carving resembling a mastodon. These include brown trout, smallmouth bass, brown trout as well as salmon species. Lake Michigan Water Temperature (MI) | United States Great Lakes Basin (U.S.) Precipitation Trends, Photos of Whiting, IN from Jerry Robert Smith on Nov 11, 2019, Two right photos of Chicago, IL from Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Nov 30, 2019. Lake Michigan's deepest region, which lies in its northern half, is called Chippewa Basin (named after prehistoric Lake Chippewa) and is separated from South Chippewa Basin by a relatively shallower area called the Mid Lake Plateau.[28][29]. Large dune formations can be seen in many state parks, national forests and national parks along the Indiana and Michigan shoreline. Its possible to catch salmon species in the waters of Lake Michigan. [42] The prime commercial species is the lake whitefish. If you have interesting photos of this place, you can upload them here. var options = { Salmon bites well after sunrise and before sunset. The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.[45]. ['September', If the warm temperatures continue to rise the surface temps of the Great Lakes its possible that more lake effect snow may occur, particularly in Michigans Upper Thumb. [Pentwater] Fish gets active in the spring and early summer. Click and drag to zoom in on the chart, and hover to see point values. Photo courtesy ofBill Snyder. Terms and conditions | Privacy Policy | Contacts. During this twelve-month period, water levels ranged from 1.38to 0.71 feet (4222cm) below Chart Datum. From Whiting Lakefront Park on November 11, 2019, courtesy of Jerry Robert Smith. chart.draw(data, options); 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. Chicago, IL on Jan 11. Did we come close to a record for November? For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Huron, please check out this helpful article. The main inflow to Lake Michigan from Lake Superior, through Lake Huron, is controlled by the locks operated by the bi-national Lake Superior Board of Control. [40] Many seasonal residents have summer homes along the waterfront and return to other homes for the winter. We will also look at how seasonality and monthly progressions can impact the fishing success rates and how fish respond. }; Lake levels are now high enough to impact more inland areas, such as protected harbors and overbank areas along some rivers. air temperature is around 72.5F / 22.5C, August is the month with the highest temperature. Average Temperature in Lake Michigan Beach The warm season lasts for 3.7 months, from May 29 to September 19, with an average daily high temperature above 71F. Great Lakes Marine Portal Lake Michigan is one of the largest lakes in North America and is home to some of the best trout and salmon fishing in the country. Are the Great Lakes a Microplastic Soup With PFAS On the Side? Small dune formations can be found on the western shore of Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park, and moderate-sized dune formations can be found in Kohler-Andrae State Park and Point Beach State Forest in Wisconsin.