Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS), Lake Huron waves and currents from 2018-2020. 11.2, Photo courtesy of Matt Zuro. Based on average water temperature observations over the past ten years, the warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan in August was 73.4F (in Michigan City), and the coldest 67.1F . 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. NOTE: During winter months, stage and discharge may be significantly affected by backwater from ice, resulting in incorrect discharge data. [42] The prime commercial species is the lake whitefish. 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. 39.2, [30] As with the high-water records, monthly low-water records were set each month from February 1964 through January 1965. During the summer, water warms and stratifies, or separates into layers warmer, lighter water on top, and colder, heavier water on the bottom. [24], Hydrologically Michigan and Huron are the same body of water (sometimes called Lake Michigan-Huron) but are normally considered distinct. A lot of steelhead can be found in the rivers around the lake. [40] Many seasonal residents have summer homes along the waterfront and return to other homes for the winter. * Fact - Actual value of water temperature, feels like 23F, Clouds (overcast clouds: 85-100%), feels like 22F, Clouds (overcast clouds: 85-100%), feels like 22F, Clouds (scattered clouds: 25-50%), feels like 23F, Clouds (scattered clouds: 25-50%), feels like 24F, Clouds (scattered clouds: 25-50%), feels like 27F, Clouds (scattered clouds: 25-50%), feels like 33F, Clouds (overcast clouds: 85-100%), feels like 34F, Clouds (overcast clouds: 85-100%), feels like 35F, Clouds (overcast clouds: 85-100%), feels like 26F, Clouds (broken clouds: 51-84%), feels like 24F, Clouds (broken clouds: 51-84%), feels like 27F, Clouds (overcast clouds: 85-100%), feels like 31F, Clouds (broken clouds: 51-84%), feels like 27F, Clouds (broken clouds: 51-84%), feels like 29F, Clouds (overcast clouds: 85-100%), feels like 24F, Clouds (overcast clouds: 85-100%), The warmest water today in United States recorded. 11.4], The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.[45]. National Weather Service The Washington Post published an article this week that signaled an ominous warning. Lake Michigan Regions. Chicago, IL on Jan 11. . [6][27] It contains a volume of 1,180 cubic miles (4,918km) of water. 9.2, Best Water Temperatures for Perch Fishing (Complete Guide). The water heats up and the activity of fish increases. Close Modal Retrieved from. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Ontario, please check out this helpful article. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this . Also, water cools down in the afternoon during hot months. Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. July, June, August, September would be the best time to visit. Sharma co-authored a startling article entitled Forecasting the Permanent Loss of Lake Ice in the Northern Hemisphere Within the 21st Century. [Milwaukee] Lake Michigan is home to a small variety of fish species and other organisms. The lakes were frozen 11 days later and thawed seven days sooner. For ease of search, all places are also grouped by the first letter of the name. 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. The avg. The coldest month is March with an water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. This was, in order of volume: iron ore, grain and potash. Marine Salmon can be found in large schools this month. 32.5, 1.2, 78.6, Oftentimes, largemouth bass bites well on Indianas shoreline and near rocky areas. [Holland/Saugatuck] vAxes: { 0: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, Lake Michigan water temperatures in winter vary from 31F to 38F. Steel mills and refineries operate near the Indiana shoreline. Fish that are waiting to spawn actively feed this month. var options = { 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. 40.5: 52.3: 67.3: 70.5: 66.7: 54.7: 46.6: 40.3: Monthly average max / min water temperatures. Study: Depths Of Lake Michigan Are Getting Warmer. [Kewaunee/Manitowoc] If you have interesting photos of this place, you can upload them here. 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. 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: Want to Know the Best Time of Day to Fish? For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Superior, please check out this helpful guide. ['May', Its possible to catch smallmouth bass at any time of the year. [Manistee] Anglers can catch brown trout, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye, and coho salmon during this time of the year. 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). Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. Also indicated are the maximum and minimum water temperatures that were recorded this month for the last ten years. var chart_waterF = document.getElementById('chart_waterF'); This is one of the longest vertical temperature records in existence anywhere in the Great Lakes. 20.2, the shaded band shows the range of monthly average water levels, and the line in the middle shows the August is the month with the highest water temperature at 77.9F / 25.5C. Fall steelhead are well-known for their aggressive bites. [Ludington] 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. Water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay is . 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]. The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. Parts of the shoreline are within the Hiawatha National Forest and the Manistee National Forest. Lake Huron average water temperature this. 7, The great lakes are notorious for unstable and unpredictable ice conditions so be careful and never fish alone. A lot of largemouth bass can be found in the tributaries of Lake Michigan. To find out the sea temperature today . 39.6, Student Opportunities NOAAs surface water temperature forecasts show the entire southern Lake Huron basin hovering around the upper 70s. Its possible to fish for salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, and yellow perch during these months. WATERTEMPERATURE.NET - Wordwide Water Temperatures. Ice fishing has to be done in shallow waters. google.charts.load('current', {packages:['corechart']}); ['September', [Muskegon/Grand Haven] The first reports of the smelly black muck were reported near Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area on the western edge of Saginaw Bay. In this article, we will discover the best times of day to fish Lake Michigan for a variety of species. 34, Every fall, the lake experiences a turnover a mixing of the layers that results in similar temperatures throughout. In October 1986, Lakes Michigan and Huron reached their highest level at 5.92 feet (1.80m) above datum. Rich, Burr Ridge 17.9], Water warms up during springtime and fishing is getting better. [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. }; The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 36.9F / 2.7C. Ice fishing is good from sunrise to the middle of the day. Climate Plots, Education 52.2, I've been watching Lake Michigan water temperatures drop a lot. If you have interesting photos of this place, you can upload them here. You can travel to the Lake Michigan area by plane, train, car or boat. Fishing for largemouth bass is incredible. Lightning In this capacity, the Great Lakes CoastWatch program obtains, produces, and delivers environmental data and products for near real-time monitoring of the Great Lakes to support . May: Water is getting warmer in Michigan in the late spring, so anglers get more bites. 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. 24, 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. Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in September is 57F, maximum - 75F. 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. The waters of Lake Michigan are full of largemouth bass. Tourism and recreation are major industries on all of the Great Lakes. Text Products format: '#F'}, The record surface temps will undoubtedly impact that moderating effect. [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. 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. 77.4, 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. The Chicago lakefront is accessible for about 24 miles (39km) between the city's southern and northern limits along the lake. 100%. The warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan today is 37.4F (Benton Harbor), and the coldest temperature is 32.4F (Sturgeon Bay). The best time of a day to fish for steelhead in Lake Michigan in December is between morning and afternoon. It is 307 miles (494km) long by 118 miles (190km) wide with a shoreline 1,640 miles (2,640km) long. Local anglers can catch a variety of fish species in the lake during the fall months. Frankfort, Platte Bay, and Grand Haven are good fishing spots to target Lake Michigan in the fall. 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 sun's rays warm the water closest to the lake's surface while the deeper water remains . 25.2, Lake Michigan is connected by the Illinois Waterway to the Gulf of Mexico via the Illinois River and the Mississippi River. February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average temperature. At such a temperature, only a short-term immersion is possible, otherwise rapid hypothermia will occur. Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 51F to 74F. Beach Hazards Awareness Lake Michigan water levels remain near the highest observed monthly levels (since at least 1918). [Sheboygan] Steelhead bites well during low light conditions. Play Time for Kids, Weather Safety 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. Water temperature range in Lake Michigan in March is from 28 to 42 degrees. 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. Home Long term average surface water temperature compared to current year (csv data files in degree Celsius or degree Fahrenheit) Superior. [Beaver Island] Stormdata Consequently, discharge data may not . Can you swim in Lake Michigan in summer? A lot of anglers choose to fish in the lake in the morning during the summer months. We will also look at how seasonality and monthly progressions can impact the fishing success rates and how fish respond. Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 44F to 69F. Jetstream 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. Since 1990, GLERL scientists have been keeping track of the temperature in the middle of southern Lake Michigan. 33.3, 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. Also, its possible to fish for steelhead at this time of the year. In recent years, at the beginning of the month, the temperature value here is at around 68F, and by the end of the month the water warms up to 70F. If the lakes dont freeze over during the winter months the open water provides cold prevailing winds a source of moisture for snow. Its possible to find a lot of yellow perch in the lakes harbors and ports. 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. The month with the lowest is March with an average water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this time of year. Also indicated are the maximum and minimum temperatures in July for these locations based on observations over the past 10 years. Environmental problems can still plague the lake. [25], Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is wholly within the borders of the United States; the others are shared with Canada. 44.2, Several lakes appear to be warming faster than. Minimum water temperature (34F) in Lake Michigan it happens in March, maximum (73F) in July. Spring fishing in Lake Michigan is good between the middle of April and May. }. November: November is a great time to fish for steelhead in Lake Michigan. Winter Weather Preparedness All that warm water is potential energy for precipitation production. Elevated lake levels increase impacts along the shore during storm events. 39.7, 4.1], 71.6, WaterTemperature.net All Rights Reserved. Water cools down and fish begin to feed actively during the morning hours. 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. [Central Northern Region] function drawChart() { The annual salmon spawn run begins in the early fall. The word "Michigan" is believed to come from the Ojibwe word [11] (michi-gami or mishigami) meaning "great water". 34.2, Some icebreakers ply the lakes. These maps are mostly helpful for determining locations below the lake level at a given elevation. 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. One of the stones is said to have a carving resembling a mastodon. 79.5,