Whilst sea temperatures for Lake Michigan are as accurate as current data allows, there may be slight local and regional variations depending on conditions. You can travel to the Lake Michigan area by plane, train, car or boat. Steel mills and refineries operate near the Indiana shoreline. Rip Currents [Milwaukee] Is Lake Michigan too cold to swim in summer? Current water temperature in Michigan 7], Significant events (such as January 11, 2020) now have the potential to flood roadways and structures near the shore that are typically not at risk. Lower Saginaw Bay is expected to reach 80F later this week. 25.2, However, Lake Michigan fishing in the morning is not productive during the cold months. [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. Winter steelhead bites well in the lake from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. February: Its possible to fish for rainbow trout and brown trout in the late winter. The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. Michigan. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Erie, please check out this helpful article. Spring fishing in Lake Michigan is good between the middle of April and May. Enhanced Data Display (EDD) [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. Here are 2020 surface temps for all 5 #GreatLakes compared to their 1992-2019 averages.More of @NOAA's Great Lakes CoastWatch data & graphs: https://t.co/h0BTppXhhs pic.twitter.com/KTsK6uENRS. To find out the sea temperature today and in the coming days, go to Current sea temperature in Lake Michigan Lake Michigan surface temperature in July There are about 15 days per year above 90F (32C). Wind direction is a significant factor for the Lake Michigan water temperature. Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 33F to 72F during the fall months. Drought Monitor, Past Weather Since then, I've lived across the country and have continued learning about fishing. You are not limited to certain recreational activities and you are free to experience all that this beautiful place has to offer. Recent increases in water temperature have mostly been driven by warming during the spring and summer months (see Figure 2). 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. The volume rarely fell below 50% after the Civil War even with the major expansion of railroad shipping. Once you arrive here, you will find that there is no shortage of activities or entertainment. . 59, This experimental product is still in development. If you have interesting photos of this place, you can upload them here. legend: 'none', The Manistee National Forest section of the shoreline includes the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness. 0.6, [24], Hydrologically Michigan and Huron are the same body of water (sometimes called Lake Michigan-Huron) but are normally considered distinct. Near South Shore Drive in Chicago, IL on Jan 11. Current weather. Heat Safety. The formation needed more study before it could be authenticated. 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. Rich, Burr Ridge August: Late summer provides anglers with a good chance to catch trophy fish on Lake Michigan. var options = { Its more comfortable to fish during the morning hours in summer because anglers can avoid heat. For example, 90% of the grain shipped from Chicago traveled by ships east over Lake Michigan during the antebellum years. var chart = new google.visualization.LineChart(chart_waterF); ['December', Contact Us. Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 58F to 82F during the summer months. If you prefer to take it easy, there are a number of camping spots around the lake. The Erie Canal connects to the Great Lakes at the east end of Lake Erie (at Buffalo, New York) and at the south side of Lake Ontario (at Oswego, New York). We use cookies to best represent our site. [16], With the advent of European exploration into the area in the late 17th century, Lake Michigan became used as part of a line of waterways leading from the Saint Lawrence River to the Mississippi River and thence to the Gulf of Mexico. Click and drag to zoom in on the chart, and hover to see point values. Study: Depths Of Lake Michigan Are Getting Warmer - NY State of Politics 39.2, [Manistee] The hottest month of the year in Lake Michigan Beach is July, with an average high of 80F and low of 63F. WaterTemperature.net All Rights Reserved. This site is owned and operated by Eric Matechak. In general, this water temperature is unacceptable for swimming. 63.9, Multiple locations were found. January: Steelhead is preparing for spawning season after the fall run in January. Cities on the shores of Lake Michigan include: The National Park Service maintains the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park. Counted together, it is the largest body of fresh water in the world by surface area. October was the hottest on record in a number of areas. [21][22] The warming of Lake Michigan was the subject of a 2018 report by Purdue University. 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. 7, 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. Lake Michigan Water Temperature (MI) | United States Seasonal overturn and stratification changes drive deep-water - Nature 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. Its possible to fish for salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, and yellow perch during these months. Ports along its shores include Chicago in Illinois, Gary in Indiana, Milwaukee and Green Bay in Wisconsin, and Muskegon in Michigan. 20 mph. "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. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Huron, please check out this helpful article. The most recent period with similar lake levels was1986-1987. September: Its possible to catch a trophy Chinook salmon in September. Salmon fishing is excellent in July. Lake Michigan cities and resorts with the values of the average water temperature in July in recent years.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. 4.3],]); [42] The prime commercial species is the lake whitefish. Hazardous Weather Outlook But hardened people can afford to be in such water for 5-10 minutes. Chicago, IL on Jan 11. The Great Lakes are collectively administered by the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, intergovernmental organization led by the governing chief executives of the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Qubec, and by the governors of the U.S. states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. This is partly because of the prevailing winds from the west (which also cause thick layers of ice to build on the eastern shore in winter). Lake Michigan beaches in Northern Michigan are the only place in the world, aside from a few inland lakes in that region, where Petoskey stones, the Michigan state stone, can be found.[39]. I've been watching Lake Michigan water temperatures drop a lot. [Southern Region], Lake Michigan Port Images The graph below shows the range of monthly Lake Michigan water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. Anglers usually choose to enjoy ice fishing in the lakes harbors and ports. 39.6, [Pentwater] The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.[45]. Disclaimer 41.9, Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 18F to 34F during the winter months. The lakes were 29in (0.74m) below their long-term average and had declined 17 inches since January 2012. Ask Tom: Is Lake Michigan's temperature drop a record for November? The Washington Post published an article this week that signaled an ominous warning. On top of that, there is no need to wake up early if you choose to fish the lake during the afternoon hours. A lot of steelhead can be found in the rivers around the lake. Lake Michigan fishing in the late spring is productive in the early morning, midday, and late evening. Water temperature data in Lake Michigan and neighboring towns and resorts collected from various sources, using buoys, using satellite maps of sea, river and lake surfaces of the NOAA agency. [18] In the 19th century, Lake Michigan was integral to the development of Chicago and the Midwestern United States west of the lake. Since then, I've lived across the country and have really taken that passion for fishing to a new level. Accessed: 4/12/2022. ['March', Beach Hazards Awareness Lighthouse Place Outlet Shopping Mall, Blue Chip Hotel, Blue Chip Casino, Michigan City Marina, Michigan City East Pierhead Light, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Monkey Island, Australian Aviary, Alligators, Petting Yard, Hawks, Otters, Cougars, Bears, Wolves, Bengal tiger, Lions, Fallow deer, Zebras, Australian Walk About: Wallaby and Emu, Bald eagles, Bobcats, Upper Aviary, Tortoise, Raptors. Lake Michigan Beach Forecast [ Beaver Island] [ Escanaba] [ Leland] [ Frankfort] [ Manistee] [ Ludington] [ Pentwater] var data = google.visualization.arrayToDataTable([ The total amount of shipping on the lakes has been on a downward trend for several years. The lake fluctuates from month to month with the highest lake levels typically occurring in summer. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this . April Steelhead spawning run continues in April. Lake Michigan located in the northern hemisphere, at latitude 43 degrees. MODIS The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 70.5F / 21.4C. [30] As with the high-water records, monthly low-water records were set each month from February 1964 through January 1965. Water near the surface cools and becomes heavier, allowing wind to mix it downwards. As air temperatures trend upward, global lake surface water temperatures (LSWT) have warmed by an average of 0.21 C/decade 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Oftentimes, largemouth bass bites well on Indianas shoreline and near rocky areas. The lakes were frozen 11 days later and thawed seven days sooner. The Straits of Mackinac were an important Native American and fur trade route. Its possible to catch salmon species in the waters of Lake Michigan. Fall steelhead are well-known for their aggressive bites. Lake Michigans fishing is very productive in the fall. Steelhead run begins after the salmon run. [South Haven] In early summer, its possible to fish for steelhead at any time of the day. [ Northern Region] [ Central Northern Region] [ Central Region] [ Central Southern Region] [ Southern Region] Lake Michigan Port Images. It would be better to plan Lake Michigan fishing adventures for March April. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of cookies. 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. Discover the best time of day to catch bass, trout, catfish, panfish, walleye, carp, and many more depending on the season, moon phases, and weather. Lake Michigan Water Temperature: Forecasts & current water temp Lake Michigan sunset from the R/V Laurentian, July 2011. Lake Huron average water temperature this. The season to fish for smallmouth bass is high between early May and July. 52.5, Salmon can be found in large schools this month. So, anglers should go fishing at sunrise or at sunset. Lake Michigan Sea Temperature | July Average | United States National Briefing We also take into account data for other resorts in United States. February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average air temperature. The Lake Michigan division of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is also within the lake, as is the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay is . Anglers receive meals and drinks during full-day fishing trips as well. Student Opportunities A lot of anglers choose to fish in the lake in the morning during the summer months. Lake Superior's long-term average surface water temperature is around 46 degrees now, but the lake is. Two passenger and vehicle ferries operate ferry services across Lake Michigan, both connecting Wisconsin on the western shore with Michigan on the east. Michigan water temperature right now Below are the cities and resorts in Michigan with the values of water temperature today and yesterday. ", "Chart: 14901 Edition: 15 Edition Date: August 2006 Clear Dates: NM 12/17/2011 LNM 12/6/2011";"Soundings in feet and fathoms", "Low Great Lakes water levels plague shipping, recreation", "Two Great Lakes hit lowest water levels since record keeping began nearly a century ago", Data Download - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration "Where to Find Petoskey Stones in Michigan." [Central Region] Anglers should aim to focus on steelhead and salmon when fishing the waters of Lake Michigan during the fall months. 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. This makes for pleasant swimming but curbs its temperature moderation along the shore. Lake Michigan water temperature by month F C Great Lakes,lake water temperature by month The hottest water temperature typically reached in August with around 77.9F / 25.5C. 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). 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. 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. October: A lot of salmon can be found in the Muskegon River between the middle of October. According to our forecast, the water temperature in Lake Michigan will slowly rise for at least the next 10 days and reach a value of 37F. The sun's rays warm the water closest to the lake's surface while the deeper water remains . Fish go to the shallow waters of Lake Michigan and rivers in the fall. 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. ', 'AVG', 'Min. Lake Michigan average November sea temperature [47] The lake is a great place to view ice volcanoes,[48] which typically occur at the start of the winter season. Water temperature range in Lake Michigan in March is from 28 to 42 degrees. GLSEA A few small cruise ships operate on Lake Michigan, including a couple of sailing ships. 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. WATERTEMPERATURE.NET - Wordwide Water Temperatures. 26.4, series: { All NOAA, More water level information from water.weather.gov. Morning fishing is not suitable for anglers, who want to wake up early. The southern tip of the lake near Gary, Indiana, is heavily industrialized. 1.2, 25.9, [Beaver Island] Vertical Water Temperature in Southern Lake Michigan One offshore point's top-to-bottom temperature, nearly every month for the last 26 years Since 1990, GLERL scientists have been keeping track of the temperature in the middle of southern Lake Michigan. [44] The iron ore and much of the stone and coal are used in the steel industry. Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. We use data from various local authorities in each specific location of the world to more accurately reflect temperature values. Steelhead bites well during low light conditions. The primary driver of water levels are precipitation, evaporation, and river flow into the lakes, also referred to as "net basin supply." Minimum water temperature (34F) in Lake Michigan it happens in March, maximum (73F) in July. The waters of Lake Michigan are full of largemouth bass. 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. Based on average water temperature observations over the past ten years, the warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan in July was 74.3F (in Green Bay), and the coldest 63.3F (in Kewaunee). 2: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:0 }, During a year in Lake Michigan there are 42 days of swimming. Photo courtesy of Matt Zuro. The record surface temps will undoubtedly impact that moderating effect. 48.6, Lake Michigan - Wikipedia 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. The southern and eastern beaches are typically sandy and dune-covered. 2.7, They sought refuge west and north of Lake Michigan. 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. However, several introduced invasive species, such as lampreys, round goby, zebra mussels and quagga mussels, continue to cause major changes in water clarity and fertility, resulting in knock-on changes to Lake Michigan's ecosystem, threatening the vitality of native fish populations. St. Clair. Fish can be found in the rivers around the lake. Summary. NWS Weather - Indiana Dunes National Park (U.S. National Park Service) In July water temperature in some cities of Lake Michigan is above 68F and it is enough for comfortable bathing. The biggest surprise is Lake Superior with water temps near 70F along the western shore near Duluth, Ashland, and Ontonagon. The water will feel freezing / baltic. Based on average water temperature observations over the past ten years, the warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan in June was 67.3F (in Green Bay), and the coldest 51.1F (in Algoma). 34.2, Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 44F to 69F. As a result, salmonids, including various strains of brown trout, steelhead (rainbow trout), coho and chinook salmon, were introduced as predators in order to decrease the wildlife population. Best Water Temperatures for Perch Fishing (Complete Guide). [30] The all-time low-water mark was eclipsed in January 2013. November: November is a great time to fish for steelhead in Lake Michigan. The warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan today is 37.2F (Manistee), and the coldest temperature is 32.2F (Escanaba). Vertical Water Temperature in Southern Lake Michigan Photos will be available to all users after verification by the moderator. Salmon bite well in the early morning and late evening. [St.Joseph] 5.5, These include brown trout, smallmouth bass, brown trout as well as salmon species. 78.6, This formation lies 40 feet (12m) below the surface of the lake. google.charts.setOnLoadCallback(drawChart); Current water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay. The great lakes are notorious for unstable and unpredictable ice conditions so be careful and never fish alone. Current water temperature in Lake Michigan There is a forecast of water temperature changes for the next few days, as well as historical data of sea surface temperature are available for all days of the last years. This means that areas may be depicted as flooding that are not connected to Lake Michigan. [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. Last summer, Lake Michigan was 10 degrees above normal, which resulted in the water taking longer to cool down in the winter. August is the month with the hottest water temperature at 77.9F / 25.5C. The National Weather Service in Duluth Minnesota noted that due to a warmer Lake Superior the lake is definitely primed for a good lake effect snow set up. A lot of fish can be found in the Muskegon River. The lake's average depth is 46 fathoms 3 feet (279ft; 85 m), while its greatest depth is 153 fathoms 5 feet (923ft; 281m). 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: The Michigan City water temperature sensor is located at a water intake one mile offshore and 60 feet below water surface. I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. If you visit in the warm months, then the kids can enjoy plenty of fun in the sun on the shores of the beach. 0.4], After the 2060s, Lake Michigan will not freeze. Sharma, an associate professor at York University, has been studying ice for over a decade.