Here weve plotted the entire dataset for interactive exploration. This is likely to lead to decreasing native habitat and to adversely affect native species survival, including game fish. Lake Michigan at Near-Record High Water Levels - National Weather Service Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS), Lake Huron waves and currents from 2018-2020. Anglers usually choose to enjoy ice fishing in the lakes harbors and ports. More information about factors affecting lake levels is available from the US Army Corps of Engineers. 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. Current water temperature in Lake Michigan Michigan Offers Strong Voice on Climate Change, Michigan Climate Change Measurable In Huron County. Explore the NEW USGS National Water Dashboard interactive map to access real-time water data from over 13,500 stations nationwide. ['March', The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 36.9F / 2.7C. The French explorer Jean Nicolet is believed to have been the first European to reach Lake Michigan, possibly in 1634 or 1638. In-Situ The temperatures given are the sea surface temperature (SST) which is most relevant to recreational users. Photo courtesy of Matt Zuro. You are not limited to certain recreational activities and you are free to experience all that this beautiful place has to offer. Hazardous Weather Outlook 1: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, 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. 1.2], Full-day fishing trips are suitable for anglers, who want to get the most out of a fishing trip on Lake Michigan. 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]. Traditionally, fishermen get a lot of bites in the afternoon. 3: { color: '#FF6347', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, Notice that temperatures follow a seasonal pattern that repeats yearly. 5: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, the shaded band shows the range of monthly average water levels, and the line in the middle shows the chart.draw(data, options); Elevated lake levels increase impacts along the shore during storm events. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this time of year. WaterTemperature.net All Rights Reserved. Also, water cools down in the afternoon during hot months. Green Bay in the northwest is its largest bay. ['July', The Chicago lakefront is accessible for about 24 miles (39km) between the city's southern and northern limits along the lake. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Huron, please check out this helpful article. ', 'Max. Each basin has a clockwise flow of water, deriving from rivers, winds, and the Coriolis effect. The southern tip of the lake near Gary, Indiana, is heavily industrialized. A lot of salmon can be found in the lakes harbors and in the Muskegon River. PDF Great Lakes Water Levels and Temperatures - US EPA Also, fishermen can expect the peak of summer heat during the summertime. air temperature is around 72.5F / 22.5C, August is the month with the highest temperature. Can you swim in Lake Michigan in summer? Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 33F to 72F during the fall months. The Lake Michigan division of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is also within the lake, as is the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 18F to 34F during the winter months. Privacy Policy 53.1, 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. 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). 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 water heats up in the afternoon during cold months. NWS Training Portal Watch/Warning/Advisory Criteria, Local Forecasts Small silver spoons and power lines work well for fishing the lake during the summer months. 24, The Michigan City water temperature sensor is located at a water intake one mile offshore and 60 feet below water surface. Its value has rise both over the past 20 days and over the past week. Photos will be available to all users after verification by the moderator. 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. [Racine] The waters of Lake Michigan are full of largemouth bass. After the 2060s, Lake Michigan will not freeze. Sharma, an associate professor at York University, has been studying ice for over a decade. Even minor events on the lake may cause flooding of low-lying areas near the lake such as beaches . Spring fishing in Lake Michigan is good between the middle of April and May. Skywarn Located on the southern side of the straits is the town of Mackinaw City, Michigan, the site of Fort Michilimackinac, a reconstructed French fort founded in 1715, and on the northern side is St. Ignace, Michigan, site of a French Catholic mission to the Indians, founded in 1671. 22.1], 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. 17.9], Select the continent of interest, the day of the month and the required water temperature, Places with the warmest average water temperature in Lake Michigan in July. The hottest avg. To learn how good the fishing on Lake Erie is, check out this article. We have no information as to whether it is valid and what flights it receives or sends. Surface data comes from NDBC buoy 45007. In the winter of 1964, Lakes Michigan and Huron reached their lowest level at 1.38 feet (42cm) below datum. 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. If you visit in the warm months, then the kids can enjoy plenty of fun in the sun on the shores of the beach. Lake Michigan sunset from the R/V Laurentian, July 2011. I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. 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. Rip Currents Lake Michigan water temperature in June When the lake freezes, its time to target yellow perch. The temperatures given are the sea surface temperature (SST) which is most relevant to recreational users. The best time of a day to fish for steelhead in Lake Michigan in December is between morning and afternoon. temperature is around 72.5F / 22.5C, August is the month with the highest temperature. The Washington Post published an article this week that signaled an ominous warning. Subsurface data is collected on an hourly basis (before 1995 it was every three hours) and is shown here as monthly averages. The best time to visit would be during the summer months as the choice of activities are far and wide. Winter is a great time to experience ice fishing on Lake Michigan. This site is owned and operated by Eric Matechak. NOTE: During winter months, stage and discharge may be significantly affected by backwater from ice, resulting in incorrect discharge data. Salmon fishing is excellent in July. The biggest surprise is Lake Superior with water temps near 70F along the western shore near Duluth, Ashland, and Ontonagon. 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. The most recent period with similar lake levels was1986-1987. 14.9, , This experimental product is still in development, Lake Michigan Regions [ Northern Region] [ Central Northern Region] [ Central Region] [ Central Southern Region] [ Southern Region] Lake Michigan Port Images. Summary. I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really cut my teeth fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years. [Michigan City] 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). Two passenger and vehicle ferries operate ferry services across Lake Michigan, both connecting Wisconsin on the western shore with Michigan on the east. It started in 2009 as a fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. The formation needed more study before it could be authenticated. In 2002, 162million net tons of dry bulk cargo were moved via the Lakes. The most recent period with similar lake levels was 1986-1987. Fall steelhead are well-known for their aggressive bites. 4, 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. Environmental problems can still plague the lake. WATERTEMPERATURE.NET - Wordwide Water Temperatures. Find out the temperature of sea water in more than 12000 cities and resorts around the world. ], 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. Prevailing westerly winds tend to move the surface water toward the east, producing a moderating effect on the climate of western Michigan. [36], Lake Michigan has many beaches. 7], The word "Michigan" is believed to come from the Ojibwe word [11] (michi-gami or mishigami) meaning "great water". 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. 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. Please Contact Us. Commercial tug-and-barge traffic on these waterways is heavy. Outlooks 39.6, 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. The warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan today is 37.4F (Benton Harbor), and the coldest temperature is 32.4F (Sturgeon Bay). June is a good time to target coho salmon as well as rainbow trout. } Ocean Color Based on our historical data over a period of ten years, the warmest water in this day in Grand Traverse Bay was recorded in 2020 and was 35.8F, and the coldest was recorded in 2014 at 30.9F. If you do make sure you are wearing a top end drysuit and all the accessories. [Chicago] 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. In October 1986, Lakes Michigan and Huron reached their highest level at 5.92 feet (1.80m) above datum. Study: Depths Of Lake Michigan Are Getting Warmer. Student Opportunities Play Time for Kids, Weather Safety var chart_waterF = document.getElementById('chart_waterF'); [15], Lake Michigan is joined via the narrow, open-water Straits of Mackinac with Lake Huron, and the combined body of water is sometimes called MichiganHuron (also HuronMichigan). Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan is the best in spring and the early fall. A lot of steelhead can be found in the rivers around the lake. In the late 1960s, successful stocking programs for Pacific salmon led to the development of Lake Michigan's charter fishing industry. google.charts.setOnLoadCallback(drawChart); 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. 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. In general, the swimming season ends in September. February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average temperature. Its possible to fish for salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, and yellow perch during these months. In July water temperature in some cities of Lake Michigan is above 68F and it is enough for comfortable bathing. Pleasure boats can enter or exit the Great Lakes by way of the Erie Canal and Hudson River in New York. A lot of Chinook and Coho salmons can be found in the lake. Current weather. These maps are mostly helpful for determining locations below the lake level at a given elevation. 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 . Lake Michigan fishing in the late spring is productive in the early morning, midday, and late evening. Afrikaans; ; ; Asturianu; Azrbaycanca; ; Bn-lm-g; ; ; ; Bosanski The month with the lowest is March with an average water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. ['September', 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 bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. Lake Michigan Surface Water Temperature Map. 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. Stormdata Salmon can be found in large schools this month. Water temperature throughout Lake Michigan is not yet warm enough for swimming and does not exceed 68F. [24], Hydrologically Michigan and Huron are the same body of water (sometimes called Lake Michigan-Huron) but are normally considered distinct. [Pentwater] Water cools down and thats why fish bite well during the morning hours in summer. However, many fish species dont bite well during midday hours in summer. However, if the lack of rain continues then the risk of an algae bloom is reduced. 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. 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 40.5: 52.3: 67.3: 70.5: 66.7: 54.7: 46.6: 40.3: Monthly average max / min water temperatures. Lightning 1, GLSEA Marine The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.[45]. Lake Michigan Sea Temperature | May Average | United States [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. Where there are no beaches or marinas, stone or concrete revetments protect the shoreline from erosion. Warmer water temperatures are causing ice to form later in the year and terminating the ice season early. 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. Several lakes appear to be warming faster than. 33.1, The coldest in March with an average water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. [23], The Milwaukee Reef, running under Lake Michigan from a point between Milwaukee and Racine to a point between Grand Haven and Muskegon, divides the lake into northern and southern basins. 0.6, 52.5, A lot of steelhead can be found in the Manistee, Muskegon, and Pere Marquette rivers. The normal low-water mark is 1.00 foot (30cm) below datum (577.5 ft or 176.0 m). 63.9, [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. With clear water, sunlight manages to penetrate the depths and grow the algae at the bottom of the lake. ['Year', 'Max. Timing can have a heavy influence on the success you have in catching bass. NOAA Weather Radio Yellow perch goes to warmer waters in winter. 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. All that warm water is potential energy for precipitation production. Its possible to catch salmon species in the waters of Lake Michigan. "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. Humidity. 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. ['May', 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. Erie. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Ontario, please check out this helpful article. 32.7, 0.3], 71.6, 34.2, We use cookies to best represent our site. CAUTION: These maps do not take into account hydrologic connectivity. format: '#C'}, 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). 6.8, A lot of largemouth bass can be found in the tributaries of Lake Michigan. curveType: 'function', Flooding impacts along the immediate shore are typically closely tied to wave height. 77.4, Salmon fishing is very productive between late morning and afternoon hours. Turns out it's not the only one! [17] French coureurs des bois and voyageurs established small ports and trading communities, such as Green Bay, on the lake during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, website, https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/glcfs/. 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.. Severe Weather Preparedness Weather Event Write-Ups In general, this water temperature is unacceptable for swimming. 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 weather is getting warmer in summer, so fish become more active during this time of the year. Midday fishing on Lake Michigan is productive during the cold months of the year. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration They've been using a vertical chain of instruments that measure temperature from just below the surface to bottom. Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 58F to 82F during the summer months. 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. The warmest water temperature in Michigan today is 41.5F (Sault Sainte Marie), and the coldest temperature is 32F (Lexington). ', 'AVG', 'Min. 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. 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. to as low as $0.40/lb during periods of high production. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (November 2007). 44.6, [South Haven] vAxes: { 0: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, 75.2, Hazards Since then, he has authored a vast range of content and established a loyal base of 75,000 visitors per month. 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). Exactly a year ago, on this day, the water temperature in this location was 32F. Salmon bites well after sunrise and before sunset. 33.3, One of the stones is said to have a carving resembling a mastodon. 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). The graph below shows the range of monthly Lake Michigan water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. 59, * 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. var options = { Text Products Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. According to the study, lakes lose around 17 days of ice cover every century on average. The beaches of the western coast and the northernmost part of the east coast are often rocky, with some sandy beaches. The economy of many communities in northern Michigan and Door County, Wisconsin, is supported by tourism, with large seasonal populations attracted by Lake Michigan. The map shows Lake Michigan average temperature water in July in some coastal cities, To find out what the water temperature was in Lake Michigan any day over a period of the last ten years, select the month, Want to know where the water temperature in July is good for swimming? 5.5, Average water temperature in the first decade is 69F, in the middle of the month - 66F, and at the end - 63F. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Erie, please check out this helpful article. Best Times & Seasons to Fish Lake Michigan (Full Guide) Lake Michigan water levels remain near the highest observed monthly levels (since at least 1918). Multiple locations were found. Salmon continues to bite until the late summer. [6][27], It is the larger half of Lake MichiganHuron, which is the largest body of fresh water in the world by surface area. 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 . Rich, Burr Ridge [Sturgeon Bay], Select a label to view regional or port area surface temperature map, On the other hand if you are an adrenalin junky, then go ahead and try out the swimming, hiking and horse back riding activities. [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. 34, Lower Saginaw Bay is expected to reach 80F later this week. Lake Michigan - Wikipedia Salmon go to deeper waters of Lake Michigan during the spring months. It makes sense to fish in Muskegon Lake port. Chicago, IL333 West University DriveRomeoville, IL 60446815-834-1435 8am-8pmComments? Long term average surface water temperature compared to current year (csv data files in degree Celsius or degree Fahrenheit) Superior. Please select one of the following: Lake Michigan water levels remain near the highest observed monthly levels (since at least 1918). Water temperature range in Lake Michigan in March is from 28 to 42 degrees. 22,