Hot-summer humid continental climate would be the climate here. 0: { color: '#FF6347', targetAxisIndex:0 }, 71.6, ['Year', 'Max. 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. 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: Grand Traverse Bay in its northeast is another large bay. Minimum water temperature (34F) in Lake Michigan it happens in March, maximum (73F) in July. 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 . Salmon fishing is excellent in July. Average water temperature in the first decade is 69F, in the middle of the month - 66F, and at the end - 63F. 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. Snow and Ice Probabilities, Current Conditions 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. The weather is getting warmer in summer, so fish become more active during this time of the year. Mike Hardy is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this . [43], Like all of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan is today used as a major mode of transport for bulk goods. The comfortable water temperature for swimming is set here in July, almost always only at the end of the month. Climate Plots, Education 58.8, [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. Maximum and minimum . Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 44F to 69F. Summer is the best season for trophy-class salmon. 34.2, [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. 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. 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). In general, the swimming season ends in September. In July water temperature in some cities of Lake Michigan is above 68F and it is enough for comfortable bathing. Lake Michigan water temperatures in winter vary from 31F to 38F. Yellow perch is the main target on Lake Michigan during the winter months. If you have interesting photos of this place, you can upload them here. In general, this water temperature is unacceptable for swimming. It makes sense to fish in Muskegon Lake port. 15, [Sheboygan] The French explorer Jean Nicolet is believed to have been the first European to reach Lake Michigan, possibly in 1634 or 1638. The primary driver of water levels are precipitation, evaporation, and river flow into the lakes, also referred to as "net basin supply." 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). [Central Region] The Mackinac Bridge is generally considered the dividing line between them. Here, you will find yourself walking on the singing sands of the shore or feasting your eyes on the beautiful blue waters of the lake. Knowing the best and worst conditions can have an outsized impact on how many bass you will catch. Lake Michigan Surface Water Temperature Map. [Escanaba] 11.7, Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 58F to 82F during the summer months. Salmon go to deeper waters of Lake Michigan during the spring months. [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). In addition of the water temperature, also shown air temperature, weather conditions and the wave heights on the coast. Its a good idea to fish Lake Michigan during afternoon hours at any time of the year. Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan is the best in spring and the early fall. Notice that temperatures follow a seasonal pattern that repeats yearly. Photos will be available to all users after verification by the moderator. Your modes of transport to Lake Michigan are not limited and its left to your discretion. 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. function drawChart() { [24], The sand dunes located on the east shore of Lake Michigan are the largest freshwater dune system in the world. Yellow perch goes to warmer waters in winter. Environmental problems can still plague the lake. Lake Michigan sunset from the R/V Laurentian, July 2011. Fish gets active in the spring and early summer. 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. 44.6, format: '#F'}, Many other water sports are practiced on the lakes, such as yachting, sea kayaking, diving, kitesurfing and lake surfing. Salmon can be found in large schools this month. In any case, the general weather is also important. legend: 'none', The long term trend for both precipitation and evaporation has been upward over the last several decades. The Manistee National Forest section of the shoreline includes the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness. The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. Please Contact Us. In multiple locations along the shoreline, the dunes rise several hundred feet above the lake surface. Rip Currents During this twelve-month period, water levels ranged from 1.38to 0.71 feet (4222cm) below Chart Datum. The warmest water temperature in Michigan today is 41.5F (Sault Sainte Marie), and the coldest temperature is 32F (Lexington). [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. 70.3, June is a good time to target coho salmon as well as rainbow trout. Salmon bites well after sunrise and before sunset. 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. The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.[45]. 39.6, Lake Huron average water temperature this. Michigan Offers Strong Voice on Climate Change, Michigan Climate Change Measurable In Huron County. On top of that, there is no need to wake up early if you choose to fish the lake during the afternoon hours. Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS), Lake Huron waves and currents from 2018-2020. ], Is Lake Michigan too cold to swim in summer? Lake Michigan is the world's largest lake by area located fully in one country. However, Lake Michigan fishing in the morning is not productive during the cold months. 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. At the start of the year, only 3% of the Great Lakes were covered in . [32] Since then water levels rebounded, rising more than 6 feet (1.8 metres) to historical record high levels.[34][31]. I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really loved fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years. Fire More Lake Michigan water level impacts can be found in our past news stories. 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. Photo courtesy of Matt Zuro. 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. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 70.5F / 21.4C. Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario, form the largest group of freshwater . [Central Southern Region] Fish can be found in the deep cold waters of Lake Michigan in summer. July: Salmon moves to the Muskegon River every year. A new report says that could mean trouble for game fish", "What happens when Lake Superior has too much water? Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Weather Safety (Spanish) [Milwaukee] Heat Safety. You would have to be insane or getting paid to want to get in water this cold! 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). However, full-day fishing trips are more expensive than half-day ones. 44.2, Steelhead bites well during low light conditions. The southern and eastern beaches are typically sandy and dune-covered. 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. 11.2, Lake Michigan water temperatures in spring vary from 32F to 54F. Winter Weather Preparedness Statistics Chicago, IL333 West University DriveRomeoville, IL 60446815-834-1435 8am-8pmComments? For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Superior, please check out this helpful guide. Cities on the shores of Lake Michigan include: The National Park Service maintains the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes National Park. 39.7, The water heats up in the afternoon during cold months. Lake Michigan is connected by the Illinois Waterway to the Gulf of Mexico via the Illinois River and the Mississippi River. The formation needed more study before it could be authenticated. On the other hand if you are an adrenalin junky, then go ahead and try out the swimming, hiking and horse back riding activities. Lake Michigan water levels remain near the highest observed monthly levels (since at least 1918). [30] The monthly average high-water records were broken for several months in a row in 2020. 25.2, 34.2, 0.6, 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.. Lakes in the Northern Hemisphere have warmed six times faster in the last 25 years than at any previous time in history. They sought refuge west and north of Lake Michigan. 41.9, Commercial tug-and-barge traffic on these waterways is heavy. 17.9], 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.