Do sharks ever get into the Great Lakes?


Do sharks ever get into the Great Lakes? While there have been past “sightings,” most have turned out to be pranks or misidentifications. The reality is that the largest of the Great Lakes (Lake Superior and Michigan) are extremely deep lakes that are too cold for sharks.


What is the biggest predator in Lake Erie?

Sea lampreys are the Great Lakes' biggest predators. They attach to valuable fish and feed on their victims blood and body fluids.


Does Lake Erie have sharks?

There are no sharks in Lake Erie, pronounces Officer James Mylett of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).


Do whales go to the Great Lakes?

The health of the waters of the Great Lakes can be measured in many ways, but one of the most unusual is by observing the health of the small population of beluga whales that live in the estuary of the St. Lawrence River.


Has a bull shark ever been found in the Great Lakes?

There have been no confirmed reports of a bull shark being caught in any of the Great Lakes. While bull sharks are known to inhabit freshwater bodies, they typically prefer estuaries and brackish waters where salt and freshwater mix.


What rivers have sharks?

Unlike most sharks, bull sharks can survive in freshwater for long periods of time. They have even been found in the Mississippi and Amazon Rivers. They prefer shallow coastal water, which means they can often come into contact with humans.


Are there alligators in the Chicago River?

Alligators, otters, beavers and rusty crayfish have all made the river their home.


Is it safe to swim in Lake Michigan?

Lake Michigan is generally clean and safe for swimming but it can become contaminated with harmful bacteria.


Are there sharks in the Chicago river?

No shark reports have been scientifically documented in the lake. The Illinois River has seen at least one documented case. Dams now keep any wandering sharks from entering the river.


Are there bull sharks in the Chicago river?

There are no sharks in Lake Michigan. Most sharks require salt water and most freshwater sharks don't live anywhere near the Great Lakes. Periodically there are rumors of Bull sharks swimming up the Mississippi River and into the Illinois River to get to Lake Michigan, but this would be an unlikely journey.


What is the biggest fish in the Great Lakes?

Lake sturgeons are the biggest fish in the Great Lakes.


Has Lake Michigan ever had a shark?

Two Coho fishermen pulled a 29-inch shark from Lake Michigan about two miles off the Milwaukee shore on April 25, 1969. The shark was dead, but for several days fishermen in the area were uneasy.


What is the only lake with sharks?

Lake Nicaragua is the only freshwater lake containing oceanic animal life, including sharks, swordfish, and tarpon. More than 40 rivers drain into the lake, the largest being the Tipitapa River.


What predators live in the Great Lakes?

The most dangerous predator in the Great Lakes is the sea lamprey, which was actually introduced as an invasive species. Primarily, it goes after a sports fish called the lake trout, often wounding them as they kill them off. It is also attracted to the blood and bodily fluids of any creature.


Are there alligators in the Great Lakes?

Alligators are rarely found in the Great Lakes. Although some alligators thrive in freshwater, it's just too cold in the north for them to survive. They don't typically live farther north than North Carolina. It's unclear how the alligator arrived to Lake Michigan.