[24], Hydrologically Michigan and Huron are the same body of water (sometimes called Lake Michigan-Huron) but are normally considered distinct. OAR 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. var chart_waterF = document.getElementById('chart_waterF'); [Muskegon/Grand Haven] Lake Michigan sunset from the R/V Laurentian, July 2011. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 36.9F / 2.7C. The Chicago city waterfront has been developed for parks, beaches, harbors and marinas, and residential developments connected by the Chicago Lakefront Trail. Lakes in the Northern Hemisphere have warmed six times faster in the last 25 years than at any previous time in history. GLSEA Lightning [40] Many seasonal residents have summer homes along the waterfront and return to other homes for the winter. 4, 26.4, In the mid 20th century, construction of the Saint Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes Waterway opened the Great Lakes to ocean-going vessels. WaterTemperature.net All Rights Reserved. ['July', [24], The sand dunes located on the east shore of Lake Michigan are the largest freshwater dune system in the world. When algae die it floats to the surface and acts like a sponge, capturing E.coli and fecal runoff from farm fields sprayed with animal waste and overflow septic systems. To find out the sea temperature today . 32.5, 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. Fishing on the lake is very productive as well. Fisheries in inland waters of the United States are small compared to marine fisheries. 34, Sharma co-authored a startling article entitled Forecasting the Permanent Loss of Lake Ice in the Northern Hemisphere Within the 21st Century. The normal low-water mark is 1.00 foot (30cm) below datum (577.5 ft or 176.0 m). With clear water, sunlight manages to penetrate the depths and grow the algae at the bottom of the lake. ', 'AVG', 'Min. All NOAA, More water level information from water.weather.gov. Text Products Chicago, IL on Jan 11. The Mackinac Bridge is generally considered the dividing line between them. Currently, two car ferry services traverse Lake Michigan from around April to November: the SS Badger, a steamer from Ludington, Michigan, to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and the Lake Express, a high speed catamaran from Milwaukee to Muskegon, Michigan. This is likely to lead to decreasing native habitat and to adversely affect native species survival, including game fish. Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS), Lake Huron waves and currents from 2018-2020. Milwaukee October 30, 2022. 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. The warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan today is 37.2F (Manistee), and the coldest temperature is 32.2F (Escanaba). The nearest airport is located in a 75 kilometers. Privacy Policy For a complete breakdown of the quality of fishing in Lake Michigan, check out this article. Hazardous Weather Outlook 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.. [44] The iron ore and much of the stone and coal are used in the steel industry. The best time to visit would be during the summer months as the choice of activities are far and wide. In August water temperature in some cities of Lake Michigan is above 68F and it is enough for comfortable bathing. 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. Steel mills and refineries operate near the Indiana shoreline. For ease of search, all places are also grouped by the first letter of the name. The biggest surprise is Lake Superior with water temps near 70F along the western shore near Duluth, Ashland, and Ontonagon. The lake fluctuates from month to month with the highest lake levels typically occurring in summer. May: Water is getting warmer in Michigan in the late spring, so anglers get more bites. Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 44F to 69F. [47] The lake is a great place to view ice volcanoes,[48] which typically occur at the start of the winter season. [St.Joseph] I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. [Michigan City] The largest fisheries are the landings from the Great Lakes, worth about $14million in 2001. Fall steelhead are well-known for their aggressive bites. 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. A new report says that could mean trouble for game fish", "What happens when Lake Superior has too much water? Retrieved from. Water near the surface cools and becomes heavier, allowing wind to mix it downwards. 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: This was, in order of volume: iron ore, grain and potash. Average water temperature in the first decade is 68F, in the middle of the month - 70F, and at the end - 71F. The water heats up and the activity of fish increases. The French explorer Jean Nicolet is believed to have been the first European to reach Lake Michigan, possibly in 1634 or 1638. the shaded band shows the range of monthly average water levels, and the line in the middle shows the 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. 5: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, The total amount of shipping on the lakes has been on a downward trend for several years. The waters of Lake Michigan are full of largemouth bass. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 36.9F / 2.7C. 34.2, Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 18F to 34F during the winter months. Pleasure boats can enter or exit the Great Lakes by way of the Erie Canal and Hudson River in New York. [Frankfort] From Whiting Lakefront Park on November 11, 2019, courtesy of Jerry Robert Smith. 50.2, 24, Lake Michigan water levels over the last decade have included both near record lows and near record highs. 11.7, Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in September is 57F, maximum - 75F. Salmon go to deeper waters of Lake Michigan during the spring months. 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]. [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 southern and eastern beaches are typically sandy and dune-covered. ['February', The measurements for the water temperature in Lake Michigan, Michigan are provided by the daily satellite readings provided by the NOAA. }, In each decade since 1980, steady increases in obscure surface temperature have occurred. The graph below shows the range of monthly Lake Michigan water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. 71.8, We will also look at how seasonality and monthly progressions can impact the fishing success rates and how fish respond. 9.2, 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? In general, the swimming season ends in September. The Manistee National Forest section of the shoreline includes the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness. This is one of the longest vertical temperature records in existence anywhere in the Great Lakes. Klump reached the bottom via submersible as part of a research expedition. Elevated lake levels increase impacts along the shore during storm events. Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, website, https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/glcfs/. National Weather Service 2.7, Open water along three sides of Huron County at the tip of the Thumb could mean a very snowy winter. 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. The southern tip of the lake near Gary, Indiana, is heavily industrialized. Ontario. Average water temperature in the first decade is 69F, in the middle of the month - 66F, and at the end - 63F. However, many fish species dont bite well during midday hours in summer. The sun's rays warm the water closest to the lake's surface while the deeper water remains . 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. Current Conditions Can you swim in Lake Michigan in summer? 5.5, If you have interesting photos of this place, you can upload them here. June is a good time to target coho salmon as well as rainbow trout. Anglers receive meals and drinks during full-day fishing trips as well. Today water temperature in Lake Michigan is 35.4F. Fish can be found in the rivers around the lake. Photo courtesy ofDeb Mann. [Chicago] Close Modal Some downstream winds cause cold, deep waters to replace surface waters that have been warmed by the sun. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this time of 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. [30] The all-time low-water mark was eclipsed in January 2013. Its more comfortable to fish during the morning hours in summer because anglers can avoid heat. ['January', Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 44F to 69F. August: Late summer provides anglers with a good chance to catch trophy fish on Lake Michigan. Your modes of transport to Lake Michigan are not limited and its left to your discretion. A lot of steelhead can be found in the rivers around the lake. 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. Drought Monitor, Past Weather A lot of steelhead can be found in the Manistee, Muskegon, and Pere Marquette rivers. NWS 20.2, format: '#C'}, Photos will be available to all users after verification by the moderator. 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. This is noticeable after heavy rain or after prolonged periods of strong winds. Fish gets active in the spring and early summer. 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. February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average temperature. 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. 0.7, If you do make sure you are wearing a top end drysuit and all the accessories. 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). Wind direction is a significant factor for the Lake Michigan water temperature. Photos will be available to all users after verification by the moderator. CAUTION: These maps do not take into account hydrologic connectivity. For ease of search, all places are also grouped by the first letter of the name. ['April', Anglers who fish Lake Michigan in the fall get excellent results between the early morning and afternoon. Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan is the best in spring and the early fall. The record surface temps will undoubtedly impact that moderating effect. February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average air temperature. NWS Training Portal Even minor events on the lake may cause flooding of low-lying areas near the lake such as beaches, parks, and trails. 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). Small silver spoons and power lines work well for fishing the lake during the summer months. Michigan Offers Strong Voice on Climate Change, Michigan Climate Change Measurable In Huron County. function drawChart() { The month with the lowest is March with an average water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. Notice that temperatures follow a seasonal pattern that repeats yearly. 41.9, During a year in Lake Michigan there are 42 days of swimming. 36.3, ['October', google.charts.setOnLoadCallback(drawChart); Average monthly sea temperatures in Lake Michigan . Marine Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 58F to 82F during the summer months. ['November', [Manistee] Terms and conditions | Privacy Policy | Contacts. [42], Sports fishing includes salmon, whitefish, smelt, lake trout and walleye as major catches. Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. 33.8, 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. Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 32F to 54F. Also, water cools down in the afternoon during hot months. Here weve plotted the entire dataset for interactive exploration. [Leland] Student Opportunities The best time of the day to fish Lake Michigan in March is between the late morning and midday. Water temperature range in Lake Michigan in March is from 28 to 42 degrees. Elevated lake levels increase impacts along the shore during storm events. Please try another search. 1: { color: '#FFCC66', targetAxisIndex:0, lineWidth: 8 }, [Central Northern Region] All that warm water is potential energy for precipitation production. 20 mph. Fish that are waiting to spawn actively feed this month. Lake Superior is one of the fastest-warming bodies of water on the planet. Midday fishing on Lake Michigan is productive during the cold months of the year. A few small cruise ships operate on Lake Michigan, including a couple of sailing ships. The lakes were frozen 11 days later and thawed seven days sooner. These include brown trout, smallmouth bass, brown trout as well as salmon species. 18.7, Watch/Warning/Advisory Criteria, Local Forecasts 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. The beaches of the western coast and the northernmost part of the east coast are often rocky, with some sandy beaches. This means that areas may be depicted as flooding that are not connected to Lake Michigan. ', 'AVG', 'Min.' Actual nearshore temperatures may vary by several degrees from the indicated values. curveType: 'function', Contact Us. Its possible to catch smallmouth bass at any time of the year. 4: { color: '#FFCC66', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, 3: { color: '#FF6347', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, 0.6, Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in June is 41F, maximum - 62F. [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. Water cools down and thats why fish bite well during the morning hours in summer. Great Lakes Marine Portal Experimental Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook, Lake Michigan and Huron Operational Forecasting System (LMHOFS), onthly mean lakewide average water levels, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Photos of Juneway Beach in Rogers Park, IL (Cook County, north side of Chicago) from David Seal on Oct 31, 2019, Photos of Whiting, IN from Jerry Robert Smith on Oct 31, 2019, Webcam view of wave action during Nov 30, 2019, Lakefront Bike Path at Schiller looking South Nov 30, 2019, Lakefront Bike Path at Schiller looking North on Nov 30, 2019. Since then, I've lived across the country and have continued learning about fishing. 59, Once you arrive here, you will find that there is no shortage of activities or entertainment. 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. 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). Fishermen should book a charter boat and use trolling to fish Lake Michigan in the spring. 48.6, 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. January: Steelhead is preparing for spawning season after the fall run in January. [30] As with the high-water records, monthly low-water records were set each month from February 1964 through January 1965. The great lakes are notorious for unstable and unpredictable ice conditions so be careful and never fish alone. Recent increases in water temperature have mostly been driven by warming during the spring and summer months (see Figure 2). } The primary driver of water levels are precipitation, evaporation, and river flow into the lakes, also referred to as "net basin supply." 58.8, Prevailing westerly winds tend to move the surface water toward the east, producing a moderating effect on the climate of western Michigan. Since the summer, abnormally high air temperatures have raised Great Lakes water temperatures. Summer is the best season for trophy-class salmon. 1, The lake's average depth is 46 fathoms 3 feet (279ft; 85 m), while its greatest depth is 153 fathoms 5 feet (923ft; 281m). Hundreds of thousands of salmon head into rivers and smaller creeks to spawn and die. Warmer water temperatures are causing ice to form later in the year and terminating the ice season early. 39.7, Earths lakes are warming at a feverish pace, with the Great Lakes leading the way Its looking more and more like the Great Lakes water temps are experiencing setting new records due to the effects of higher temperatures in the region. [Escanaba] 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 graph below shows the range of monthly Lake Michigan water temperature derived from many years of historical sea surface temperature data. You would have to be insane or getting paid to want to get in water this cold! [30] The monthly average high-water records were broken for several months in a row in 2020. To find out the sea temperature today and in the coming days, go to Current sea temperature in Lake Michigan. Ocean Color 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. The water temperature today roughly corresponds to the average value on this day in recent years. 32.7, On top of that, there is no need to wake up early if you choose to fish the lake during the afternoon hours. 0.3], In multiple locations along the shoreline, the dunes rise several hundred feet above the lake surface. Since 1990, GLERL scientists have been keeping track of the temperature in the middle of southern Lake Michigan. 11.4], legend: 'none', August is the month with the hottest water temperature at 77.9F / 25.5C. They sought refuge west and north of Lake Michigan. 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. Presented weather data are now available for each of the resorts. In addition of the water temperature, also shown air temperature, weather conditions and the wave heights on the coast. In July water temperature in some cities of Lake Michigan is above 68F and it is enough for comfortable bathing. So, the air temperature at the same time will reach 35F.