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. Aviation Contact Us. Turns out it's not the only one! A lot of largemouth bass can be found in the tributaries of Lake Michigan. 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. Privacy Policy 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.. Lake Michigan does not freeze completely during the winter months. Lake Michigan's fishing is very productive in the fall. 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). A lot of salmon can be found in the lakes harbors and in the Muskegon River. The Washington Post published an article this week that signaled an ominous warning. Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. Here weve plotted the entire dataset for interactive exploration. August: Late summer provides anglers with a good chance to catch trophy fish on Lake Michigan. The comfortable water temperature for swimming is set here in July, almost always only at the end of the month. The record surface temps will undoubtedly impact that moderating effect. 2: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:0 }, ['September', For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Superior, please check out this helpful guide. Jetstream Some of the most expansive and unique dune formations can be found at Indiana Dunes National Park, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Warren Dunes State Park, Hoffmaster State Park, Silver Lake State Park, Ludington State Park, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. [Pentwater] google.visualization.events.addListener(chart, 'ready', function () {chart_waterF.innerHTML= '';}); January: Steelhead is preparing for spawning season after the fall run in January. Summer is the best season for trophy-class salmon. air temperature is around 72.5F / 22.5C, August is the month with the highest temperature. [6][27], It is the larger half of Lake MichiganHuron, which is the largest body of fresh water in the world by surface area. Its possible to catch salmon species in the waters of Lake Michigan. 4, The Port of Chicago, operated by the Illinois International Port District, has grain (14million bushels) and bulk liquid (800,000 barrels) storage facilities along Lake Calumet. 71.8, Seasonal Guide: Best Times to Catch Big Bass. The most recent period with similar lake levels was1986-1987. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 70.5F / 21.4C. Average water temperature in the first decade is 68F, in the middle of the month - 70F, and at the end - 71F. 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. Photo courtesy ofDeb Mann. The graph below shows the range of monthly water temperatures over several years. Lake Michigan water levels remain near the highest observed monthly levels (since at least 1918). FreshwaterFishingAdvice is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Stormdata In multiple locations along the shoreline, the dunes rise several hundred feet above the lake surface. October was the hottest on record in a number of areas. Information Quality In recent years, at the beginning of the month, the temperature value here is at around 46F, and by the end of the month the water . 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 measurements for the water temperature in Lake Michigan, Michigan are provided by the daily satellite readings provided by the NOAA. 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. 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). curveType: 'function', ['July', We also take into account data for other resorts in United States. The Manistee National Forest section of the shoreline includes the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness. The normal low-water mark is 1.00 foot (30cm) below datum (577.5 ft or 176.0 m). 11.2, 4.3],]); [Sheboygan] Lightning March: Steelhead spawning run starts in March. Summary. [10] It is shared, from west to east, by the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. 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 levels are now high enough to impact more inland areas, such as protected harbors and overbank areas along some rivers. The chances to catch a trophy fish are high during this time of the year. 0.3], 52.2, [Manistee] 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. 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]. 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. . Anglers should aim to focus on steelhead and salmon when fishing the waters of Lake Michigan during the fall months. The weather forecast is shown in local time in Lake Michigan. A large dune formation can be found in Whitefish Dunes State Park in Wisconsin in the Door Peninsula. legend: 'none', August is the month with the hottest water temperature at 77.9F / 25.5C. In any case, the general weather is also important. By the late 18th century, the eastern end of the straits was controlled by Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island, a British colonial and early American military base and fur trade center, founded in 1781. Get Five Decades Of Great Lakes Ice Cover Data. It was originally home to lake whitefish, lake trout, yellow perch, panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and bowfin, as well as some species of catfish. function drawChart() { Accessed: 4/12/2022. This experimental product is still in development. Since 1990, GLERL scientists have been keeping track of the temperature in the middle of southern Lake Michigan. For a complete breakdown of the quality of fishing in Lake Michigan, check out this article. I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really loved fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years. 11.4], Smallmouth bass fishing in Lake Michigan starts in May and continues until the middle of November. 34, The water temperature in. 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). A few small cruise ships operate on Lake Michigan, including a couple of sailing ships. Great Lakes passenger steamers have been operating since the mid-19th century. google.charts.load('current', {packages:['corechart']}); The biggest surprise is Lake Superior with water temps near 70F along the western shore near Duluth, Ashland, and Ontonagon. 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. Current Conditions The water will feel freezing / baltic. 2.4, 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. 0.6, }; 32.7, A new report says that could mean trouble for game fish", "What happens when Lake Superior has too much water? 71.6, 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: 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. 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. [Northern Region] This formation lies 40 feet (12m) below the surface of the lake. A lot of steelhead can be found in the rivers around the lake. Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 33F to 72F during the fall months. Water warms up during springtime and fishing is getting better. Retrieved from. Contact: Data Questions oar.glerl.data@noaa.gov General Information oar.glerl.www@noaa.gov Updated: 02/23/2023 The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. The Straits of Mackinac were an important Native American and fur trade route. Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in August is 60F, maximum - 77F. }. Lakes in the Northern Hemisphere have warmed six times faster in the last 25 years than at any previous time in history. Snow and Ice Probabilities, Current Conditions The Lake Express, established in 2004, carries passengers and vehicles across the lake between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Muskegon, Michigan. Its a good idea to fish Lake Michigan during afternoon hours at any time of the year. The map shows Lake Michigan temperature water in some coastal cities in real time, To find out what the water temperature was in Lake Michigan any day over a period of the last ten years, select the month, If you want to plan a vacation on the beach and enjoy the warm sea, choose the day of the year, region and the minimum comfortable sea/ocean temperature that interests you. It would be better to plan Lake Michigan fishing adventures for March April. Local anglers can catch a variety of fish species in the lake during the fall months. During the summer, water warms and stratifies, or separates into layers warmer, lighter water on top, and colder, heavier water on the bottom. Presented weather data are now available for each of the resorts. 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. The French explorer Jean Nicolet is believed to have been the first European to reach Lake Michigan, possibly in 1634 or 1638. These Lake Michigan-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The Mackinac Bridge is generally considered the dividing line between them. A lot of Chinook and Coho salmons can be found in the lake. 22.1], 33.8, 7, The southern tip of the lake near Gary, Indiana, is heavily industrialized. Anglers spend a whole day on fishing and have a good chance to catch a trophy. The nearest airport is located in a 75 kilometers. [Muskegon/Grand Haven] 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. Lake Michigans fishing is very productive in the fall. Anglers who fish Lake Michigan in the fall get excellent results between the early morning and afternoon. May: Water is getting warmer in Michigan in the late spring, so anglers get more bites. The biggest surprise is Lake Superior with water temps near 70F along the western shore near Duluth, Ashland, and Ontonagon. The best time of the day to go fishing on Lake Michigan in spring is between early morning and midday. Is Lake Michigan too cold to swim in summer? 32.5, 0.4], Explore the NEW USGS National Water Dashboard interactive map to access real-time water data from over 13,500 stations nationwide. Milwaukee October 30, 2022. However, because prevailing westerly winds tend to move the surface water toward the east, there is a flow of warmer water to the Michigan shore in the summer. ', 'Max. The Muskegon River is full of steelhead fish in the middle of April. OAR Prevailing westerly winds tend to move the surface water toward the east, producing a moderating effect on the climate of western Michigan. temperature is around 72.5F / 22.5C, August is the month with the highest temperature. Knowing the best times and seasons to fish this massive body of water can help you put bigger fish in the boat. A lot of fish can be found in the Muskegon River. [33] Keith Kompoltowicz, chief of watershed hydrology for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' district office in Detroit, explained that biggest factors leading to the lower water levels in 2013 were a combination of the "lack of a large snowpack" in the winter of 2011/2012 coupled with very hot and dry conditions in the summer of 2012. 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. Fish go to the shallow waters of Lake Michigan and rivers in the fall. July, June, August, September would be the best time to visit. 1.2, Anglers usually choose to enjoy ice fishing in the lakes harbors and ports. 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 lot of rainbow trout can be found in the many streams and tributaries around the lake. ['October', Outlooks Severe Weather Preparedness [Sturgeon Bay], Select a label to view regional or port area surface temperature map, 44.6, The lakes were frozen 11 days later and thawed seven days sooner. 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. ['November', 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. [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. Drought Monitor, Past Weather There are about 15 days per year above 90F (32C). [Frankfort] When the lake freezes, its time to target yellow perch. The first reports of the smelly black muck were reported near Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area on the western edge of Saginaw Bay. Average water temperature in the first decade is 69F, in the middle of the month - 66F, and at the end - 63F. Even minor events on the lake may cause flooding of low-lying areas near the lake such as beaches . Steel mills and refineries operate near the Indiana shoreline. 20.2, Lake Michigan sunset from the R/V Laurentian, July 2011. Water cools down and fish begin to feed actively during the morning hours. If we continue to generate greenhouse gases at current rate, Lake Superior would not freeze after the 2060s, said researcher Sapna Sharma. 39.2, In early summer, its possible to fish for steelhead at any time of the day. 58.8, We have no information as to whether it is valid and what flights it receives or sends. 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. 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. 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). The best time of a day to fish for steelhead in Lake Michigan in December is between morning and afternoon. Lake Michigan Regions. September: Its possible to catch a trophy Chinook salmon in September. [24], The sand dunes located on the east shore of Lake Michigan are the largest freshwater dune system in the world. 68.4, Ports along its shores include Chicago in Illinois, Gary in Indiana, Milwaukee and Green Bay in Wisconsin, and Muskegon in Michigan. National Weather Service The coldest in March with an average water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. Ice fishing is good from sunrise to the middle of the day. National Briefing The temperatures given are the sea surface temperature (SST) which is most relevant to recreational users. 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. WATERTEMPERATURE.NET - Wordwide Water Temperatures. They've been using a vertical chain of instruments that measure temperature from just below the surface to bottom. [44] The iron ore and much of the stone and coal are used in the steel industry. [Waukegan] Study: Depths Of Lake Michigan Are Getting Warmer. 2.7, 50.2, Fishing for largemouth bass is incredible. The Great Lakes Circle Tour, a designated scenic road system, connects all of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Wind direction is a significant factor for the Lake Michigan water temperature. April Steelhead spawning run continues in April. format: '#F'}, series: { Exactly a year ago, on this day, the water temperature in this location was 32F. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 70.5F / 21.4C. [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. Student Opportunities Every fall, the lake experiences a turnover a mixing of the layers that results in similar temperatures throughout. The primary driver of water levels are precipitation, evaporation, and river flow into the lakes, also referred to as "net basin supply." USGS Current Water Data for Michigan. At such a temperature, only a short-term immersion is possible, otherwise rapid hypothermia will occur. Click and drag to zoom in on the chart, and hover to see point values. 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. 25.2, Large dune formations can be seen in many state parks, national forests and national parks along the Indiana and Michigan shoreline. 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. I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. More Lake Michigan water level impacts can be found in our past news stories. Great Lakes Marine Portal Winter is a great time to experience ice fishing on Lake Michigan. It is 307 miles (494km) long by 118 miles (190km) wide with a shoreline 1,640 miles (2,640km) long. Lake Michigan Beach Forecast The fish will bite well during warm days. 14.9, February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average air temperature. Want to Know the Best Time of Day to Fish? Michigan. [Ludington] [30] The monthly average high-water records were broken for several months in a row in 2020. 39.4, Anglers can catch brown trout, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye, and coho salmon during this time of the year. However, many fish species dont bite well during midday hours in summer. [Leland] One of the stones is said to have a carving resembling a mastodon. Water temperature range in Lake Michigan in March is from 28 to 42 degrees. Holiday Climate Data [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. In the late 1960s, successful stocking programs for Pacific salmon led to the development of Lake Michigan's charter fishing industry. With an average temperature of roughly 59F, Lake Superior is at an all-time high for this time of year. 44.2, ', 'AVG', 'Min. 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. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Erie, please check out this helpful article. Area temps along the Lake Huron shore can typically be around 10 degrees cooler than inland. 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. 79.5, Winter Weather Preparedness [South Haven] Twelve million people live along Lake Michigan's shores, mainly in the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. Michigan Offers Strong Voice on Climate Change, Michigan Climate Change Measurable In Huron County. 15, This is noticeable after heavy rain or after prolonged periods of strong winds. On top of that, there is no need to wake up early if you choose to fish the lake during the afternoon hours. 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. Yellow perch goes to warmer waters in winter. The price for lake whitefish dropped from $1.04/lb. A lot of steelhead can be found in the Manistee, Muskegon, and Pere Marquette rivers. In 2002, 162million net tons of dry bulk cargo were moved via the Lakes. Notice that temperatures follow a seasonal pattern that repeats yearly. The approximate coordinates of the sampling location are 42.68013, -87.06567. However, if the lack of rain continues then the risk of an algae bloom is reduced. [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. Flooding impacts along the immediate shore are typically closely tied to wave height. Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. 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. 33.1, Counted together, it is the largest body of fresh water in the world by surface area. Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan is the best in spring and the early fall. To learn how good the fishing on Lake Erie is, check out this article. The graph below shows the range of monthly Lake Michigan water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. 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. From Whiting Lakefront Park on November 11, 2019, courtesy of Jerry Robert Smith. }, [Southern Region], Lake Michigan Port Images Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 18F to 34F during the winter months. Fish can be found in the deep cold waters of Lake Michigan in summer. 11.7, 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. Despite their vast size, large sections of the Great Lakes freeze in winter, interrupting most shipping. 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. For ease of search, all places are also grouped by the first letter of the name.