Average water temperature in the first decade is 69F, in the middle of the month - 66F, and at the end - 63F. At such a temperature, only a short-term immersion is possible, otherwise rapid hypothermia will occur. When the lake freezes, its time to target yellow perch. 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. 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. Water temperature in Grand Traverse Bay is . Play Time for Kids, Weather Safety 0.4], 3: { color: '#FF6347', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, 1, One of the stones is said to have a carving resembling a mastodon. Humidity. Ontario. [Frankfort] Text Products We use data from various local authorities in each specific location of the world to more accurately reflect temperature values. 11.4], Multiple locations were found. 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. (overcast clouds) Wind. Did we come close to a record for November? 0: { color: '#FF6347', targetAxisIndex:0 }, More Lake Michigan water level impacts can be found in our past news stories. Max: 4.2C / 39.6F Avg: 2.7C / 36.9F These average ocean temperatures for Lake Michigan are calculated from several years of archived data. 63.9, 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. 24, ], This might be due to a combination of circumstances, including a record-warm summer, increased cloud cover, no major storms mixing cooler water from below. 53.1, So, the air temperature at the same time will reach 35F. In each decade since 1980, steady increases in obscure surface temperature have occurred. The record surface temps will undoubtedly impact that moderating effect. Discover the best time of day to catch bass, trout, catfish, panfish, walleye, carp, and many more depending on the season, moon phases, and weather. 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]. Where there are no beaches or marinas, stone or concrete revetments protect the shoreline from erosion. Actual nearshore temperatures may vary by several degrees from the indicated values. 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 bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. 4.2, In recent years, at the beginning of the month, the temperature value here is at around 46F, and by the end of the month the water . Global Land One-kilometer Base Elevation (GLOBE) v.1. In July water temperature in some cities of Lake Michigan is above 68F and it is enough for comfortable bathing. February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average temperature. 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. Water surface temperature values are available in real time. The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.[45]. 65.7, Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Lake Huron average water temperature this. [21][22] The warming of Lake Michigan was the subject of a 2018 report by Purdue University. var options = { Notice that temperatures follow a seasonal pattern that repeats yearly. Lake Michigans fishing is very productive in the fall. During a year in Lake Michigan there are 42 days of swimming. 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. ['October', The coldest month is March with an water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. 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. Milwaukee October 30, 2022. Beach Hazards Awareness The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 70.5F / 21.4C. curveType: 'function', 20 mph. 32.5, [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. Salmon go to deeper waters of Lake Michigan during the spring 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. Fish starts feeding actively at the beginning of the month. Each basin has a clockwise flow of water, deriving from rivers, winds, and the Coriolis effect. The warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan today is 37.4F (Benton Harbor), and the coldest temperature is 32.4F (Sturgeon Bay). Minimum water temperature in Lake Michigan in August is 60F, maximum - 77F. If we continue to generate greenhouse gases at current rate, Lake Superior would not freeze after the 2060s, said researcher Sapna Sharma. 1.2], 78.6, 4.1], To find out the sea temperature today and in the coming days, go to Current sea temperature in Lake Michigan. 10.1], Even minor events on the lake may cause flooding of low-lying areas near the lake such as beaches, parks, and trails. 77.4, Today water temperature in Lake Michigan is 35.4F. This was, in order of volume: iron ore, grain and potash. 33.3, Several ferries currently operate on the Great Lakes to carry passengers to various islands, including Beaver Island and Bois Blanc Island (Michigan). Ocean Color [36], Lake Michigan has many beaches. This formation lies 40 feet (12m) below the surface of the lake. 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. This is noticeable after heavy rain or after prolonged periods of strong winds. Are the Great Lakes a Microplastic Soup With PFAS On the Side? [30] The all-time low-water mark was eclipsed in January 2013. Average monthly sea temperatures in Lake Michigan . The measurements for the water temperature in Lake Michigan, Michigan are provided by the daily satellite readings provided by the NOAA. The Chicago city waterfront has been developed for parks, beaches, harbors and marinas, and residential developments connected by the Chicago Lakefront Trail. You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this . 36.3, The nearest airport is located in a 75 kilometers. 14.9, This experimental product is still in development. July, June, August, September would be the best time to visit. 41.9, Michigan. Anglers should aim to focus on steelhead and salmon when fishing the waters of Lake Michigan during the fall months. The measurements for the water temperature in Lake Huron, Michigan are provided by the daily satellite readings provided by the NOAA. You can find out detailed data on how the water temperature in Lake Michigan changes in each specific month: The warmest water today in United States recorded in Cutler, its value is 79F. I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really loved fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years. ['November', to as low as $0.40/lb during periods of high production. 5: { color: '#FF8C00', targetAxisIndex:1, lineWidth: 0 }, Open water along three sides of Huron County at the tip of the Thumb could mean a very snowy winter. Fishing for largemouth bass is incredible. It would be better to plan Lake Michigan fishing adventures for March April. [Kewaunee/Manitowoc] All that warm water is potential energy for precipitation production. During the summer, water warms and stratifies, or separates into layers warmer, lighter water on top, and colder, heavier water on the bottom. March: Steelhead spawning run starts in March. We use cookies to best represent our site. 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. Here are 2020 surface temps for all 5 #GreatLakes compared to their 1992-2019 averages.More of @NOAA's Great Lakes CoastWatch data & graphs: https://t.co/h0BTppXhhs pic.twitter.com/KTsK6uENRS. 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. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Huron, please check out this helpful article. NOAA Weather Radio Rich, Burr Ridge In general, this water temperature is unacceptable for swimming. Significant events (such as January 11, 2020) now have the potential to flood roadways and structures near the shore that are typically not at risk. 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. Seasonal Guide: Best Times to Catch Big Bass. [Pentwater] ['March', However, anglers cant spend too much time fishing if they choose to start their adventures in the afternoon. [25], Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is wholly within the borders of the United States; the others are shared with Canada. Photo courtesy of Matt Zuro. Steelhead can be found in the lakes tributaries. The coldest month is February with an average water temperature of 36.9F / 2.7C. 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. }; Average water temperature in the first decade is 68F, in the middle of the month - 70F, and at the end - 71F. More information about factors affecting lake levels is available from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Salmon fishing is very productive between late morning and afternoon hours. Exactly a year ago, on this day, the water temperature in this location was 32F. Wind direction is a significant factor for the Lake Michigan water temperature. 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. October was exceptionally warm, with air temperatures at land sites around the lakes ranging from 5 to 10 degrees above long-term norms. Lake levels are now high enough to impact more inland areas, such as protected harbors and overbank areas along some rivers. Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Heat Safety. For example, 90% of the grain shipped from Chicago traveled by ships east over Lake Michigan during the antebellum years. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of cookies. [16], With the advent of European exploration into the area in the late 17th century, Lake Michigan became used as part of a line of waterways leading from the Saint Lawrence River to the Mississippi River and thence to the Gulf of Mexico. Whihala Beach in Whiting, IN. 79.5, You may have heard #LakeMichigan is warmer than usual for this time of year. Retrieved from. Recent increases in water temperature have mostly been driven by warming during the spring and summer months (see Figure 2). Weather Event Write-Ups Midday fishing on Lake Michigan is productive during the cold months of the year. var chart = new google.visualization.LineChart(chart_waterF); 4.3],]); The Port of Chicago, operated by the Illinois International Port District, has grain (14million bushels) and bulk liquid (800,000 barrels) storage facilities along Lake Calumet. 2.4, The coldest in March with an average water temperature of 32.9F / 0.5C. 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. Spring fishing in Lake Michigan is good between the middle of April and May. [24], The sand dunes located on the east shore of Lake Michigan are the largest freshwater dune system in the world. Winter Weather Preparedness Also, water cools down in the afternoon during hot months. 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 52.5, The Washington Post published an article this week that signaled an ominous warning. Watch/Warning/Advisory Criteria, Local Forecasts Local anglers can catch a variety of fish species in the lake during the fall months. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Lake Ontario, please check out this helpful article. 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. 34.2, , This experimental product is still in development, Lake Michigan Regions The biggest surprise is Lake Superior with water temps near 70F along the western shore near Duluth, Ashland, and Ontonagon. Subsurface data is collected on an hourly basis (before 1995 it was every three hours) and is shown here as monthly averages. 0.3], The French explorer Jean Nicolet is believed to have been the first European to reach Lake Michigan, possibly in 1634 or 1638. Time of day and wind direction may have a temporary local effect as can water flows from neraby rivers. Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, website, https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/glcfs/. Minimum water temperature (34F) in Lake Michigan it happens in March, maximum (73F) in July. 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). Anglers who fish Lake Michigan in the fall get excellent results between the early morning and afternoon. Lake Michigan Surface Water Temperature Map. google.charts.setOnLoadCallback(drawChart); Lake Superior is one of the fastest-warming bodies of water on the planet. Mike Hardy is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. Salmon bite well in the early morning and late evening. Monthly Lake Michigan water temperature chart. Also, fishermen can expect the peak of summer heat during the summertime. Marine Lake Michigan is a town close to Great Lakes,lake. 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. They sought refuge west and north of Lake Michigan. Contact Us. [Waukegan] [Southern Region], Lake Michigan Port Images Also indicated are the maximum and minimum temperatures in July for these locations based on observations over the past 10 years. If you prefer to take it easy, there are a number of camping spots around the lake. Fish gets active in the spring and early summer. 40.5: 52.3: 67.3: 70.5: 66.7: 54.7: 46.6: 40.3: Monthly average max / min water temperatures. I've been watching Lake Michigan water temperatures drop a lot. 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. This is likely to lead to decreasing native habitat and to adversely affect native species survival, including game fish. December: December is a great month for steelhead the tributaries of Lake Michigan. Commercial tug-and-barge traffic on these waterways is heavy. In any case, the general weather is also important. This is one of the longest vertical temperature records in existence anywhere in the Great Lakes. Fishing for rainbow trout is always exciting. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fish go to the shallow waters of Lake Michigan and rivers in the fall. Every fall, the lake experiences a turnover a mixing of the layers that results in similar temperatures throughout. 34.2, Yellow perch goes to warmer waters in winter. 71.6, Lightning But the wider ocean-going container ships that were developed later do not fit through the locks on these routes, which limits shipping on the lakes. [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. 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. The warmest water temperature is in August with an average around 70.5F / 21.4C. Privacy Policy Information Quality To learn how good the fishing on Lake Erie is, check out this article. Take a family vacation to the third coast of the United States and enjoy plenty of recreation and enticing scenery at Lake Michigan. 68.4, Great Lakes CoastWatch is a nationwide National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program within which the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) functions as the Great Lakes regional node. Holiday Climate Data February is the coolest with 25.3F / -3.7C average air temperature. Small silver spoons and power lines work well for fishing the lake during the summer months. 71.8, Fish can be found in the deep cold waters of Lake Michigan in summer. Oftentimes, largemouth bass bites well on Indianas shoreline and near rocky areas. 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. You would have to be insane or getting paid to want to get in water this cold! The total amount of shipping on the lakes has been on a downward trend for several years. [Beaver Island] Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 18F to 34F during the winter months. The temperatures given are the sea surface temperature (SST) which is most relevant to recreational users. Long term average surface water temperature compared to current year (csv data files in degree Celsius or degree Fahrenheit) Superior. Presented weather data are now available for each of the resorts. Contact: Data Questions oar.glerl.data@noaa.gov General Information oar.glerl.www@noaa.gov Updated: 02/23/2023 The primary driver of water levels are precipitation, evaporation, and river flow into the lakes, also referred to as "net basin supply." Anglers usually choose to enjoy ice fishing in the lakes harbors and ports. [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. Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS), Lake Huron waves and currents from 2018-2020. [24], Hydrologically Michigan and Huron are the same body of water (sometimes called Lake Michigan-Huron) but are normally considered distinct. "Where to Find Petoskey Stones in Michigan." They've been using a vertical chain of instruments that measure temperature from just below the surface to bottom. Michigan water temperature right now Below are the cities and resorts in Michigan with the values of water temperature today and yesterday. Hazards Some beaches have sand dunes covered in green beach grass and sand cherries, and the water is usually clear and cool, between 55 and 80F (13 and 27C),[38] even in the late summer months. The Straits of Mackinac were an important Native American and fur trade route. It is 307 miles (494km) long by 118 miles (190km) wide with a shoreline 1,640 miles (2,640km) long. 11.7, GLERL We also take into account data for other resorts in United States. In this article, we will discover the best times of day to fish Lake Michigan for a variety of species. Lake Michigan does not freeze completely during the winter months. Water cools down and fish begin to feed actively during the morning hours. Despite their vast size, large sections of the Great Lakes freeze in winter, interrupting most shipping. 20.2, 22, The water heats up and the activity of fish increases. Two passenger and vehicle ferries operate ferry services across Lake Michigan, both connecting Wisconsin on the western shore with Michigan on the east. Current Conditions 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. 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. Please select one of the following: Lake Michigan water levels remain near the highest observed monthly levels (since at least 1918). 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. The Great Lakes Circle Tour, a designated scenic road system, connects all of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. [40] Many seasonal residents have summer homes along the waterfront and return to other homes for the winter. [Manistee] NOTE: During winter months, stage and discharge may be significantly affected by backwater from ice, resulting in incorrect discharge data. Lake Michigan sunset from the R/V Laurentian, July 2011. Lake Michigan fishing in the late spring is productive in the early morning, midday, and late evening. You are not limited to certain recreational activities and you are free to experience all that this beautiful place has to offer. Air temperatures in Michigan vary from 28F to 69F during the spring months. The water will feel freezing / baltic. I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. The weather forecast is shown in local time in Lake Michigan. Timing can have a heavy influence on the success you have in catching bass. These include brown trout, smallmouth bass, brown trout as well as salmon species. the shaded band shows the range of monthly average water levels, and the line in the middle shows the [44] The iron ore and much of the stone and coal are used in the steel industry. [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). Jetstream Water near the surface cools and becomes heavier, allowing wind to mix it downwards. Severe Weather Preparedness 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. OAR The word "Michigan" is believed to come from the Ojibwe word [11] (michi-gami or mishigami) meaning "great water". The southern tip of the lake near Gary, Indiana, is heavily industrialized. [42] The prime commercial species is the lake whitefish. The sand is often soft and off-white, known as "singing sands" because of the squeaking noise (caused by high quartz content) it emits when walked upon. [Muskegon/Grand Haven] September: Its possible to catch a trophy Chinook salmon in September. Find out the temperature of sea water in more than 12000 cities and resorts around the world. [ Northern Region] [ Central Northern Region] [ Central Region] [ Central Southern Region] [ Southern Region] Lake Michigan Port Images. 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]. 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. 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. Several lakes appear to be warming faster than. The Muskegon River is full of steelhead fish in the middle of April. Anglers can catch brown trout, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye, and coho salmon during this time of the year. 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. [Milwaukee] FreshwaterFishingAdvice is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Turns out it's not the only one! [St.Joseph] 25.2, var chart_waterF = document.getElementById('chart_waterF'); [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 bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Lake Michigan over the year. [Chicago] Here weve plotted the entire dataset for interactive exploration. [Racine] Water cools down and thats why fish bite well during the morning hours in summer. June is a good time to target coho salmon as well as rainbow trout. 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 October 1986, Lakes Michigan and Huron reached their highest level at 5.92 feet (1.80m) above datum. It makes sense to fish in Muskegon Lake port. 75.2, Lake Michigan is connected by the Illinois Waterway to the Gulf of Mexico via the Illinois River and the Mississippi River. Traditionally, fishermen get a lot of bites in the afternoon. 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. Ice fishing has to be done in shallow waters. Yellow perch is the main target on Lake Michigan during the winter months.