lake michigan water temperatures by month

[Pentwater] 36.9, The biggest surprise is Lake Superior with water temps near 70F along the western shore near Duluth, Ashland, and Ontonagon. 22.1], Lake Michigan is home to a small variety of fish species and other organisms. 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. Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 51F to 74F. Heat Safety. Ice fishing has to be done in shallow waters. ['February', Its possible to catch smallmouth bass at any time of the year. Water temperature range in Lake Michigan in March is from 28 to 42 degrees. The coldest in March with an average water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. The best time of the day to go fishing on Lake Michigan in spring is between early morning and midday. Weather Safety (Spanish) To find out the sea temperature today . Spring fishing in Lake Michigan is good between the middle of April and May. 1: {gridlines: {color: 'black'}, ['May', Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in June is 41F, maximum - 62F. Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS), Lake Huron waves and currents from 2018-2020. [10] It is shared, from west to east, by the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. 4.3],]); Presented weather data are now available for each of the resorts. OAR ', 'Max. Outlooks 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. Skywarn 6.8, [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. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. 65.7, Since the summer, abnormally high air temperatures have raised Great Lakes water temperatures. For ease of search, all places are also grouped by the first letter of the name. Also, water cools down in the afternoon during hot months. [25], Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is wholly within the borders of the United States; the others are shared with Canada. Near South Shore Drive in Chicago, IL on Jan 11. 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. 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. The warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan today is 37.2F (Manistee), and the coldest temperature is 32.2F (Escanaba). The month with the lowest is March with an average water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. 44.6, 40.5: 52.3: 67.3: 70.5: 66.7: 54.7: 46.6: 40.3: Monthly average max / min water temperatures. Long term average surface water temperature compared to current year (Graphs) Superior. [Ludington] [Manistee] Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in August is 60F, maximum - 77F. The water temperature today roughly corresponds to the average value on this day in recent years. 15, Knowing the best times and seasons to fish this massive body of water can help you put bigger fish in the boat. [Escanaba] 33.8, I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. 71.8, The best time to visit would be during the summer months as the choice of activities are far and wide. [6][27], It is the larger half of Lake MichiganHuron, which is the largest body of fresh water in the world by surface area. Minimum water temperature (34F) in Lake Michigan it happens in March, maximum (73F) in July. August is the month with the hottest water temperature at 77.9F / 25.5C. The waters of Lake Michigan are full of largemouth bass. 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. Salmon can be found in large schools this month. Two passenger and vehicle ferries operate ferry services across Lake Michigan, both connecting Wisconsin on the western shore with Michigan on the east. 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. It is read every day of the year. [18] In the 19th century, Lake Michigan was integral to the development of Chicago and the Midwestern United States west of the lake. The graph below shows the range of monthly Lake Michigan water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. [Milwaukee] Local anglers can catch a variety of fish species in the lake during the fall months. 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. 25.2, Lake Michigan water temperatures in winter vary from 31F to 38F. Michigan water temperature right now Below are the cities and resorts in Michigan with the values of water temperature today and yesterday. format: '#C'}, 2.7, We use data from various local authorities in each specific location of the world to more accurately reflect temperature values. Fire You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this . Lowest - in Kotzebue, there water temperature now 28F. 32.7, Current water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay. [31], Lake levels tend to be the lowest in winter. Salmon bite well in the early morning and late evening. Average monthly sea temperatures in Lake Michigan . Its possible to find a lot of yellow perch in the lakes harbors and ports. Snow and Ice Probabilities, Current Conditions Lake Michigan, like the other Great Lakes, supplies drinking water to millions of people in bordering areas. The normal low-water mark is 1.00 foot (30cm) below datum (577.5 ft or 176.0 m). Sharma co-authored a startling article entitled Forecasting the Permanent Loss of Lake Ice in the Northern Hemisphere Within the 21st Century. For example, 90% of the grain shipped from Chicago traveled by ships east over Lake Michigan during the antebellum years. 0.4], Local anglers can catch a variety of fish species in the lake during the fall months. [21][22] The warming of Lake Michigan was the subject of a 2018 report by Purdue University. "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. I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. The avg. Fall steelhead are well-known for their aggressive bites. The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. 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. 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. Marine 34.2, [24], The sand dunes located on the east shore of Lake Michigan are the largest freshwater dune system in the world. Please try another search. 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. Actual nearshore temperatures may vary by several degrees from the indicated values. Where there are no beaches or marinas, stone or concrete revetments protect the shoreline from erosion. All NOAA, More water level information from water.weather.gov. ['July', 7], 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.. 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: Fish gets active in the spring and early summer. 39.6, Some downstream winds cause cold, deep waters to replace surface waters that have been warmed by the sun. ['January', [6][27] It contains a volume of 1,180 cubic miles (4,918km) of water. You would have to be insane or getting paid to want to get in water this cold! 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). The Mackinac Bridge is generally considered the dividing line between them. Terms and conditions | Privacy Policy | Contacts. google.charts.load('current', {packages:['corechart']}); 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 . }, ['April', Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, website, https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/glcfs/. These include brown trout, smallmouth bass, brown trout as well as salmon species. Lake freighters are used on the lakes that are too large to pass the locks and enter the ocean. On top of that, there is no need to wake up early if you choose to fish the lake during the afternoon hours. Lake Michigan beach at Holland State Park in Park Township, Michigan, Chicago's North Avenue Beach, Lincoln Park, Monthly bulletin of Lake Levels for The Great Lakes; September 2009; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Wolgamott, K. (May 17, 2018). However, full-day fishing trips are more expensive than half-day ones. [42], Sports fishing includes salmon, whitefish, smelt, lake trout and walleye as major catches. Lake Michigan water levels over the last decade have included both near record lows and near record highs. Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Privacy Policy Max: 4.2C / 39.6F Avg: 2.7C / 36.9F Despite their vast size, large sections of the Great Lakes freeze in winter, interrupting most shipping. Its possible to catch salmon species in the waters of Lake Michigan. 70.3, 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. 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]. Best Water Temperatures for Perch Fishing (Complete Guide). Ontario. Lake Michigan is one of the largest lakes in North America and is home to some of the best trout and salmon fishing in the country. 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. . Click and drag to zoom in on the chart, and hover to see point values. The Washington Post published an article this week that signaled an ominous warning. It makes sense to fish in Muskegon Lake port. Chicago, IL on Jan 11. Wind direction is a significant factor for the Lake Michigan water temperature. Great Lakes Marine Portal Anglers usually choose to enjoy ice fishing in the lakes harbors and ports. The coldest month is March with an water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. Seasonal Guide: Best Times to Catch Big Bass. Lake Michigan's fishing is very productive in the fall. 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). Several ferries currently operate on the Great Lakes to carry passengers to various islands, including Beaver Island and Bois Blanc Island (Michigan). The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 36.9F / 2.7C. Aviation Minimum water temperature (34F) in Lake Michigan it happens in March, maximum (73F) in July. 9.2, Severe Weather Preparedness Pleasure boats can enter or exit the Great Lakes by way of the Erie Canal and Hudson River in New York.