78.6, Fish can be found in the deep cold waters of Lake Michigan in summer. National Weather Service [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. var data = google.visualization.arrayToDataTable([ Climate Plots, Education [Northern Region] 11.4], This means that areas may be depicted as flooding that are not connected to Lake Michigan. We also take into account data for other resorts in United States. 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 . [Frankfort] 2: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:0 }, Its possible to fish for salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, and yellow perch during these months. Also, its possible to fish for steelhead at this time of the year. Winter is a great time to experience ice fishing on Lake Michigan. However, many fish species dont bite well during midday hours in summer. [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. 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 fish will bite well during warm days. 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. June is a good time to target coho salmon as well as rainbow trout. 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. Time of day and wind direction may have a temporary local effect as can water flows from neraby rivers. Water near the surface cools and becomes heavier, allowing wind to mix it downwards. 34.2, The warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan today is 37.2F (Manistee), and the coldest temperature is 32.2F (Escanaba). The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. Midday fishing on Lake Michigan is productive during the cold months of the year. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this . 1: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, Twelve million people live along Lake Michigan's shores, mainly in the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. 22.1], The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. Local anglers can catch a variety of fish species in the lake during the fall months. Please Contact Us. Anglers can fish for brown trout and lake trout as well as Coho salmon and Chinook salmon in May. November: November is a great time to fish for steelhead in Lake Michigan. [Muskegon/Grand Haven] [42], Sports fishing includes salmon, whitefish, smelt, lake trout and walleye as major catches. The Chicago city waterfront has been developed for parks, beaches, harbors and marinas, and residential developments connected by the Chicago Lakefront Trail. It is 307 miles (494km) long by 118 miles (190km) wide with a shoreline 1,640 miles (2,640km) long. It makes sense to fish in Muskegon Lake port. Ice fishing has to be done in shallow waters. Disclaimer Salmon fishing is very productive between late morning and afternoon hours. Alternate names for Lake MichiganLac Dauphin, Lac Des Ilinois, Lac Ilinois, Lac Michigan, Lac des Eaux de Mer, Lacus Ilinois, Lago Michigan, Lake Ilinois, Lake Illinese, Lake Michigan, Le Lac de Saint Joseph, Machihiganing, Match-I-Hi-Gan-Ing, Match-i-hi-gan-ing, Michigami, Michigan Lake, Michigansee, Misch-I-Gon-Ong, Misch-i-gon-ong, Mishigan Lake, Missihiganin, Mitchiganons. Elevated lake levels increase impacts along the shore during storm events. Play Time for Kids, Weather Safety On top of that, there is no need to wake up early if you choose to fish the lake during the afternoon hours. The lake fluctuates from month to month with the highest lake levels typically occurring in summer. Michigan. Holiday Climate Data 1: { color: '#FFCC66', targetAxisIndex:0, lineWidth: 8 }, All that warm water is potential energy for precipitation production. In 1673, Jacques Marquette, Louis Jolliet and their crew of five Mtis voyageurs followed Lake Michigan to Green Bay and up the Fox River, nearly to its headwaters, in their search for the Mississippi River. This is noticeable after heavy rain or after prolonged periods of strong winds. 68.4, This was, in order of volume: iron ore, grain and potash. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Huron, please check out this helpful article. Its possible to catch salmon species in the waters of Lake Michigan. [12], Some of the most studied early human inhabitants of the Lake Michigan region were the Hopewell Native Americans. Water warms up during springtime and fishing is getting better. The hottest avg. Prevailing westerly winds tend to move the surface water toward the east, producing a moderating effect on the climate of western Michigan. Fall steelhead are well-known for their aggressive bites. Lowest - in Kotzebue, there water temperature now 28F. Each basin has a clockwise flow of water, deriving from rivers, winds, and the Coriolis effect. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 70.5F / 21.4C. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this time of year. 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. Copyright 2023 Thumbwind Publications LLC, Earths lakes are warming at a feverish pace, with the Great Lakes leading the way, Forecasting the Permanent Loss of Lake Ice in the Northern Hemisphere Within the 21st Century, first reports of the smelly black muck were reported near Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, 10 Small Towns With Big City Michigan Crime Rates, Oak Wilt Disease a Threat to Michigan Thumbs Red Oaks, Port Hope Festival Lights the Fuse For July 4th. June is the month with the lowest precipitation of 0in / 0mm and January with the highest precipitation in a year with 1.8in / 45.6mm. 39.2, Questions? The first reports of the smelly black muck were reported near Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area on the western edge of Saginaw Bay. January: Steelhead is preparing for spawning season after the fall run in January. }; September: Its possible to catch a trophy Chinook salmon in September. [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. Fish starts feeding actively at the beginning of the month. 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). 77.4, 2.7, Yellow perch is the main target on Lake Michigan during the winter months. More information about factors affecting lake levels is available from the US Army Corps of Engineers. [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. More Lake Michigan water level impacts can be found in our past news stories. ['August', In this article, we will discover the best times of day to fish Lake Michigan for a variety of species. Elevated lake levels increase impacts along the shore during storm events. Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Water cools down and fish begin to feed actively during the morning hours. Current Conditions [42] The prime commercial species is the lake whitefish. Long term average surface water temperature compared to current year (Graphs) Superior. But hardened people can afford to be in such water for 5-10 minutes. ['Year', 'Max. Fishing is productive in the late spring and during the summer months. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charters respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate. The record-warm water temperatures across the Great Lakes fall into a global pattern of warming lakes, which are being propelled upward as human-caused climate change pushes air temperatures to record highs. ['November', The Muskegon River is full of steelhead fish in the middle of April. As a result of improvements to the Welland Canal in 1918, an invasion of sea lampreys and overharvesting, there has been a decline in native lake trout populations, ultimately causing an increase in the population of another invasive species, the alewife. Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS), Lake Huron waves and currents from 2018-2020. 70.3, Take a family vacation to the third coast of the United States and enjoy plenty of recreation and enticing scenery at Lake Michigan. In the late 1960s, successful stocking programs for Pacific salmon led to the development of Lake Michigan's charter fishing industry. The normal high-water mark is 2.00 feet (0.61m) above datum (577.5ft (176.0m)). Hazards 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 experimental product is still in development, Lake Michigan Regions GLERL Current weather. Traditionally, a lot of anglers visit the lake in June, July, and August. Beach Hazards Awareness Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan is the best in spring and the early fall. A large dune formation can be found in Whitefish Dunes State Park in Wisconsin in the Door Peninsula. 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. 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. 1.2], The Conference came into force, in December 2008, with the enactment of laws in all of the states and the two provinces, and the enactment of a United States federal law. There is a mean difference in summer water temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 5 degrees Celsius) between the Wisconsin and Michigan shores. Photos will be available to all users after verification by the moderator. Turns out it's not the only one! This is likely to lead to decreasing native habitat and to adversely affect native species survival, including game fish. The chances to catch a trophy fish are high during this time of the year. Every fall, the lake experiences a turnover a mixing of the layers that results in similar temperatures throughout. Anglers can catch brown trout, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye, and coho salmon during this time of the year. Huron. The Michigan City water temperature sensor is located at a water intake one mile offshore and 60 feet below water surface. 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. [Central Northern Region] [Manistee] Salmon continues to bite until the late summer. The primary driver of water levels are precipitation, evaporation, and river flow into the lakes, also referred to as "net basin supply." Contact: Data Questions oar.glerl.data@noaa.gov General Information oar.glerl.www@noaa.gov Updated: 02/23/2023 Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. 5.5, Lake Michigan is a town close to Great Lakes,lake. Global Land One-kilometer Base Elevation (GLOBE) v.1. [30] The monthly average high-water records were broken for several months in a row in 2020. In early summer, its possible to fish for steelhead at any time of the day. 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). Lake Michigan is the world's largest lake by area located fully in one country. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Please select one of the following: Lake Michigan water levels remain near the highest observed monthly levels (since at least 1918). 1C / 34F. There are about 15 days per year above 90F (32C). USGS Current Water Data for Michigan. [ Beaver Island] [ Escanaba] [ Leland] [ Frankfort] [ Manistee] [ Ludington] [ Pentwater] In July water temperature in some cities of Lake Michigan is above 68F and it is enough for comfortable bathing. Lake Huron average water temperature this. Aviation However, anglers cant spend too much time fishing if they choose to start their adventures in the afternoon. 39.4, The French explorer Jean Nicolet is believed to have been the first European to reach Lake Michigan, possibly in 1634 or 1638. 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. Exactly a year ago, on this day, the water temperature in this location was 32F. Also indicated are the maximum and minimum temperatures in July for these locations based on observations over the past 10 years. From May to October, the historic steamship, SSBadger, operates daily between Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Ludington, Michigan,[46] connecting U.S. Highway 10 between the two cities. [31], Lake levels tend to be the lowest in winter. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Erie, please check out this helpful article. [24], The sand dunes located on the east shore of Lake Michigan are the largest freshwater dune system in the world. Water temperature range in Lake Michigan in March is from 28 to 42 degrees. Terms and conditions | Privacy Policy | Contacts. 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. 24, [40] Many seasonal residents have summer homes along the waterfront and return to other homes for the winter. 58.8, The Straits of Mackinac were an important Native American and fur trade route. 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. These Lake Michigan-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The graph below shows the range of monthly Lake Michigan water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. Fish gets active in the spring and early summer. The approximate coordinates of the sampling location are 42.68013, -87.06567. Lake Michigan's fishing is very productive in the fall. The Chicago lakefront is accessible for about 24 miles (39km) between the city's southern and northern limits along the lake. Explore the NEW USGS National Water Dashboard interactive map to access real-time water data from over 13,500 stations nationwide. 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. CAUTION: These maps do not take into account hydrologic connectivity. Summer is the best season for trophy-class salmon. Rainbow trout and brown trout bite well in February. Since 1990, GLERL scientists have been keeping track of the temperature in the middle of southern Lake Michigan. * 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. 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]. To learn how good the fishing on Lake Erie is, check out this article. temperature is around 72.5F / 22.5C, August is the month with the highest temperature. Lake Michigan is connected by the Illinois Waterway to the Gulf of Mexico via the Illinois River and the Mississippi River. Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, website, https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/glcfs/. A lot of Chinook and Coho salmons can be found in the lake. Consequently, discharge data may not . This is Lawrence J Timmerman (MWC) airport. 4.2, Close Modal [St.Joseph] 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. Fish can be found in the rivers around the lake. In 2002, 162million net tons of dry bulk cargo were moved via the Lakes. 53.1, If the lakes dont freeze over during the winter months the open water provides cold prevailing winds a source of moisture for snow. 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. Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 58F to 82F during the summer months. Today water temperature in Lake Michigan is 35.4F. A lot of anglers choose to fish in the lake in the morning during the summer months. series: { [Escanaba] Hot-summer humid continental climate would be the climate here. 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. 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. [Pentwater] In general, this water temperature is unacceptable for swimming. So, anglers should go fishing at sunrise or at sunset. Average monthly sea temperatures in Lake Michigan . 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 nearest airport is located in a 75 kilometers. Ice fishing is good from sunrise to the middle of the day. Even minor events on the lake may cause flooding of low-lying areas near the lake such as beaches, parks, and trails. NOTE: During winter months, stage and discharge may be significantly affected by backwater from ice, resulting in incorrect discharge data. The water heats up in the afternoon during cold months. 9.2, ', 'Max. Did we come close to a record for November? Frankfort, Platte Bay, and Grand Haven are good fishing spots to target Lake Michigan in the fall. Water surface temperature values are available in real time. Surface data comes from NDBC buoy 45007. In June water temperature throughout Lake Michigan is not yet warm enough for swimming and does not exceed 68F. 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 you prefer to take it easy, there are a number of camping spots around the lake. A lot of largemouth bass can be found in the tributaries of Lake Michigan. to as low as $0.40/lb during periods of high production. The lake's average depth is 46 fathoms 3 feet (279ft; 85 m), while its greatest depth is 153 fathoms 5 feet (923ft; 281m). 17.7], [10] It is shared, from west to east, by the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Chicago, IL on Jan 11. During this twelve-month period, water levels ranged from 1.38to 0.71 feet (4222cm) below Chart Datum. FreshwaterFishingAdvice is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Minimum water temperature (34F) in Lake Michigan it happens in March, maximum (73F) 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. To find out the sea temperature today . A lot of steelhead can be found in the rivers around the lake. In the mid 20th century, construction of the Saint Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes Waterway opened the Great Lakes to ocean-going vessels. Watch/Warning/Advisory Criteria, Local Forecasts So, the air temperature at the same time will reach 35F. The Lake Express, established in 2004, carries passengers and vehicles across the lake between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Muskegon, Michigan. 52.5, Statistics I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. Marine Lake Michigan water levels over the last decade have included both near record lows and near record highs. Skywarn The total amount of shipping on the lakes has been on a downward trend for several years. Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in August is 60F, maximum - 77F. 71.6, June is the month with the lowest precipitation of 0in / 0mm and January with the maximum precipitation in a year with 1.8in / 45.6mm. [Ludington] Salmon bites well after sunrise and before sunset. 79.5, I've been watching Lake Michigan water temperatures drop a lot. It started in 2009 as a fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. Great Lakes Marine Portal The weather is getting warmer in summer, so fish become more active during this time of the year. 0.3], [Kewaunee/Manitowoc] These include brown trout, smallmouth bass, brown trout as well as salmon species. They've been using a vertical chain of instruments that measure temperature from just below the surface to bottom. Lake Michigan Regions. [25], Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is wholly within the borders of the United States; the others are shared with Canada. 40.5: 52.3: 67.3: 70.5: 66.7: 54.7: 46.6: 40.3: Monthly average max / min water temperatures. chart.draw(data, options); [30] The all-time low-water mark was eclipsed in January 2013. Once you arrive here, you will find that there is no shortage of activities or entertainment. Anglers who fish Lake Michigan in the fall get excellent results between the early morning and afternoon. Fisheries in inland waters of the United States are small compared to marine fisheries. In each decade since 1980, steady increases in obscure surface temperature have occurred. 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.