[42] The prime commercial species is the lake whitefish. El Nino February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average air temperature. 39.7, The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. Tourism and recreation are major industries on all of the Great Lakes. These Lake Michigan-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. If you prefer to take it easy, there are a number of camping spots around the lake. It is 307 miles (494km) long by 118 miles (190km) wide with a shoreline 1,640 miles (2,640km) long. Salmon bite well in the early morning and late evening. Lake Michigan Beach Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature 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. More Lake Michigan water level impacts can be found in our past news stories. Wind direction is a significant factor for the Lake Michigan water temperature. 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. Fish can be found in the rivers around the lake. These include brown trout, smallmouth bass, brown trout as well as salmon species. During a year in Lake Michigan there are 42 days of swimming. Each basin has a clockwise flow of water, deriving from rivers, winds, and the Coriolis effect. Outlooks Its possible to catch smallmouth bass at any time of the year. 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]. Even minor events on the lake may cause flooding of low-lying areas near the lake such as beaches . We have no information as to whether it is valid and what flights it receives or sends. Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan is the best in spring and the early fall. Winter is a great time to experience ice fishing on Lake Michigan. Average water temperature in the first decade is 68F, in the middle of the month - 70F, and at the end - 71F. So, the air temperature at the same time will reach 35F. [Michigan City] Lake Michigan at Near-Record High Water Levels - National Weather Service Environmental problems can still plague the lake. Salmon fishing is very productive between late morning and afternoon hours. How cold is Lake Michigan water? - 2023 59, Knowing the best times and seasons to fish this massive body of water can help you put bigger fish in the boat. The normal low-water mark is 1.00 foot (30cm) below datum (577.5 ft or 176.0 m). 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. The most recent period with similar lake levels was1986-1987. The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.[45]. [Southern Region], Lake Michigan Port Images 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. Grand Traverse Bay in its northeast is another large bay. Anglers should aim to focus on steelhead and salmon when fishing the waters of Lake Michigan during the fall months. 1.1], Contact: Data Questions oar.glerl.data@noaa.gov General Information oar.glerl.www@noaa.gov Updated: 02/23/2023 Actual nearshore temperatures may vary by several degrees from the indicated values. Its possible to find a lot of yellow perch in the lakes harbors and ports. Spring fishing in Lake Michigan is good between the middle of April and May. [36], Lake Michigan has many beaches. 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. The southern tip of the lake near Gary, Indiana, is heavily industrialized. In any case, the general weather is also important. Lake Michigan now averages 74 degrees on the surface, which is 11 degrees warmer than the historical average water temperature on this date. Fish gets active in the spring and early summer. Water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay is . PDF Great Lakes Water Levels and Temperatures - US EPA Lake Superior is one of the fastest-warming bodies of water on the planet. Smallmouth bass fishing in Lake Michigan starts in May and continues until the middle of November. [St.Joseph] For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Superior, please check out this helpful guide. , This experimental product is still in development, Lake Michigan Regions Traditionally, a lot of anglers visit the lake in June, July, and August. The word "Michigan" is believed to come from the Ojibwe word [11] (michi-gami or mishigami) meaning "great water". to as low as $0.40/lb during periods of high production. Is Lake Michigan too cold to swim in summer? Aviation Hazardous Weather Outlook Whilst sea temperatures for Lake Michigan are as accurate as current data allows, there may be slight local and regional variations depending on conditions. Play Time for Kids, Weather Safety The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. 39.2, Erie. This experimental product is still in development. 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. Steelhead run begins after the salmon run. Summary. There are about 15 days per year above 90F (32C). Lake Michigan average November sea temperature Lake Michigans fishing is very productive in the fall. Average water temperature in the first decade is 69F, in the middle of the month - 66F, and at the end - 63F. Lake Michigan Surface Water Temperature Map - National Oceanic and 44.6, Lake Superior has stayed warmer than average throughout this year, including now. 1.2], Below are the cities and resorts in Lake Michigan with the values of water temperature today and yesterday. [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. Despite their vast size, large sections of the Great Lakes freeze in winter, interrupting most shipping. The price for lake whitefish dropped from $1.04/lb. The temperatures given are the sea surface temperature (SST) which is most relevant to recreational users. 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. 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. This site is owned and operated by Eric Matechak. A lot of fish can be found in the Muskegon River. 75.2, Also, water cools down in the afternoon during hot months. September: Its possible to catch a trophy Chinook salmon in September. The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. The measurements for the water temperature in Lake Michigan, Michigan are provided by the daily satellite readings provided by the NOAA. 20.2, The lakes were 29in (0.74m) below their long-term average and had declined 17 inches since January 2012. Statistics - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration var chart_waterF = document.getElementById('chart_waterF'); [Waukegan] Steelhead can be found in the lakes tributaries. This might be due to a combination of circumstances, including a record-warm summer, increased cloud cover, no major storms mixing cooler water from below. google.charts.load('current', {packages:['corechart']}); Weather Event Write-Ups Information Quality The water temperature in. The 30-year, deep-water temperature dataset overlaying this photo (the "heartbeat of Lake Michigan") reveals a hidden story about how the lake's deep waters are responding to climate change. 79.5, Vertical Water Temperature in Southern Lake Michigan The Chicago city waterfront has been developed for parks, beaches, harbors and marinas, and residential developments connected by the Chicago Lakefront Trail. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Ontario, please check out this helpful article. Jetstream [31], In January 2013, Lake Michigan's monthly mean water levels dipped to an all-time low of 576.2ft (175.6m),[32] reaching their lowest ebb since record keeping began in 1918. In the mid 20th century, construction of the Saint Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes Waterway opened the Great Lakes to ocean-going vessels. Current water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay. Since then, he has authored a vast range of content and established a loyal base of 75,000 visitors per month. 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). Ice fishing has to be done in shallow waters. Chicago, IL on Jan 11. 15, 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. During the summer, water warms and stratifies, or separates into layers warmer, lighter water on top, and colder, heavier water on the bottom. [30] The all-time low-water mark was eclipsed in January 2013. The lakes were frozen 11 days later and thawed seven days sooner. Small silver spoons and power lines work well for fishing the lake during the summer months. CoCoRaHs [12], Some of the most studied early human inhabitants of the Lake Michigan region were the Hopewell Native Americans. The normal high-water mark is 2.00 feet (0.61m) above datum (577.5ft (176.0m)). The largest fisheries are the landings from the Great Lakes, worth about $14million in 2001. 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. Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in June is 41F, maximum - 62F. [6][27], It is the larger half of Lake MichiganHuron, which is the largest body of fresh water in the world by surface area. Ask Tom: Is Lake Michigan's temperature drop a record for November? May: Water is getting warmer in Michigan in the late spring, so anglers get more bites. Sharma co-authored a startling article entitled Forecasting the Permanent Loss of Lake Ice in the Northern Hemisphere Within the 21st Century. A lot of Chinook and Coho salmons can be found in the lake. Lake Michigan Sea Temperature | October Average | United States format: '#F'}, Flooding impacts along the immediate shore are typically closely tied to wave height. Watch/Warning/Advisory Criteria, Local Forecasts Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in September is 57F, maximum - 75F. Milwaukee October 30, 2022. During this twelve-month period, water levels ranged from 1.38to 0.71 feet (4222cm) below Chart Datum. Midday fishing on Lake Michigan is productive during the cold months of the year. }. Near South Shore Drive in Chicago, IL on Jan 11. Can you swim in Lake Michigan in summer? Current water temperature in Michigan Lake Superior's long-term average surface water temperature is around 46 degrees now, but the lake is. 34.2, 1C / 34F. 10.1], [Central Southern Region] 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. 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. Lake Michigan Water Temperature (MI) | United States A new report says that could mean trouble for game fish", "What happens when Lake Superior has too much water? Great Lakes CoastWatch is a nationwide National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program within which the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) functions as the Great Lakes regional node. Lake Huron Water Temperature (MI) | United States - World Sea Temperatures The 5 Great Lakes Water Temps All At Record Levels - Thumbwind } Their culture declined after 800 AD and for the next few hundred years, the region was the home of peoples known as the Late Woodland Native Americans. The weather is getting warmer in summer, so fish become more active during this time of the year. Find out the temperature of sea water in more than 12000 cities and resorts around the world. For ease of search, all places are also grouped by the first letter of the name. Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. ['March', These average ocean temperatures for Lake Michigan are calculated from several years of archived data. Fish that are waiting to spawn actively feed this month. the shaded band shows the range of monthly average water levels, and the line in the middle shows the ['April', 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. Several lakes appear to be warming faster than. FreshwaterFishingAdvice is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. (overcast clouds) Wind. 5.5, Area temps along the Lake Huron shore can typically be around 10 degrees cooler than inland. 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). Best Times & Seasons to Fish Lake Michigan (Full Guide) The Straits of Mackinac were an important Native American and fur trade route. Fishing for rainbow trout is always exciting. The graph below shows the range of monthly water temperatures over several years. These include brown trout, smallmouth bass, brown trout as well as salmon species. The long term trend for both precipitation and evaporation has been upward over the last several decades. A few small cruise ships operate on Lake Michigan, including a couple of sailing ships. Elevated lake levels increase impacts along the shore during storm events. 1, Water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay today is 35.1F. March: Steelhead spawning run starts in March. Anglers spend a whole day on fishing and have a good chance to catch a trophy. A lot of largemouth bass can be found in the tributaries of Lake Michigan. Ontario. Its value has rise both over the past 20 days and over the past week. In 2002, 162million net tons of dry bulk cargo were moved via the Lakes. temperature is around 72.5F / 22.5C, August is the month with the highest temperature. The first reports of the smelly black muck were reported near Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area on the western edge of Saginaw Bay. Did we come close to a record for November? 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. [Sturgeon Bay], Select a label to view regional or port area surface temperature map, Salmon continues to bite until the late summer. Cities on the shores of Lake Michigan include: The National Park Service maintains the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park. 44.6, Please select one of the following: Lake Michigan water levels remain near the highest observed monthly levels (since at least 1918). Average monthly sea temperatures in Lake Michigan . August is the month with the highest water temperature at 77.9F / 25.5C. 9.2, Water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay today | MI, United States temp 22, Hundreds of thousands of salmon head into rivers and smaller creeks to spawn and die. However, anglers cant spend too much time fishing if they choose to start their adventures in the afternoon. October: A lot of salmon can be found in the Muskegon River between the middle of October. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. [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. The warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan today is 37.4F (Benton Harbor), and the coldest temperature is 32.4F (Sturgeon Bay). Accessed: 4/12/2022. Current Conditions 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. [6][27] It contains a volume of 1,180 cubic miles (4,918km) of water. August: Late summer provides anglers with a good chance to catch trophy fish on Lake Michigan. [18] In the 19th century, Lake Michigan was integral to the development of Chicago and the Midwestern United States west of the lake. Max: 4.2C / 39.6F Avg: 2.7C / 36.9F The beaches of the western coast and the northernmost part of the east coast are often rocky, with some sandy beaches. Klump reached the bottom via submersible as part of a research expedition. Lake Michigan's average water temperature reached 75.1 degrees on July 8, nearly 11 degrees above normal, and the warmest mark on record so early in the year. Close Modal Weather Safety (Spanish) 25.2, Mike Hardy is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. 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. This was, in order of volume: iron ore, grain and potash. In the winter of 1964, Lakes Michigan and Huron reached their lowest level at 1.38 feet (42cm) below datum. The total amount of shipping on the lakes has been on a downward trend for several years. Timing can have a heavy influence on the success you have in catching bass. 4.3],]); If you visit in the warm months, then the kids can enjoy plenty of fun in the sun on the shores of the beach. The best time to fish Lake Michigan is April to May for yellow perch and bass, from May to June for lake steelhead and trout, July to August for king salmon, and June through October for coho salmon. This makes for pleasant swimming but curbs its temperature moderation along the shore. Fish go to the shallow waters of Lake Michigan and rivers in the fall. 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. Take a family vacation to the third coast of the United States and enjoy plenty of recreation and enticing scenery at Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan water levels over the last decade have included both near record lows and near record highs. See our affiliate disclosure for details. The Michigan City water temperature sensor is located at a water intake one mile offshore and 60 feet below water surface. Lake freighters are used on the lakes that are too large to pass the locks and enter the ocean. The month with the lowest is March with an average water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. 53.1, Water temperature throughout Lake Michigan is not yet warm enough for swimming and does not exceed 68F. The Lake Michigan division of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is also within the lake, as is the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge.