Do whales really migrate through Lake Michigan?


Do whales really migrate through Lake Michigan? A few even submitted the issue to Snopes.com, debunkers of urban legends, which investigated the issue last summer and pronounced that stories of whales in Lake Michigan are the result of “mistakes, pranks and hoaxes.”


Does Lake Michigan have sea life?

Let's dive into the unique sea life that lives in this Great Lake and how it got there. Lake Michigan has a wide variety of native species, including lake trout, lake sturgeon, lake whitefish, panfish, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and bowfin.


Can you whale watch in Lake Michigan?

Yes it is true! White Sperm Whales, like Moby Dick in the book of Herman Melville, are abundant in the fresh waters of southern Lake Michigan. Observing this rare cetacean is an exciting spectacle, unique, made possible only by Lake Michigan Whale Watching.


What is the biggest fish in Lake Michigan?

Lake sturgeon are the largest fish in Michigan, and it's not even close. There is a tie for the second-largest fish ever caught in Michigan.


Are there killer whales in Lake Michigan?

No, there are no orca whales living in Lake Michigan currently, or ever in the lake's current geography.


What is the biggest sea creature in Lake Michigan?

The Lake Sturgeon - Michigan's Biggest Creature You may be a little startled if it decides to swim past your feet, as the Lake Sturgeon is rather big in size. On average, they can be anywhere between six and three feet in length. They will also weigh anywhere between 30-100lbs.


Are there orca whales in Lake Michigan?

There seems to have been a variety of hoaxes over the years claiming orca sightings in Lake Michigan and the whole culture has sort of grown a life of its own. The first hoax came in 1985 when a ship named the Charlotte Ann announced they would be hosting a Great Lakes Whale Watch.


Are there blue whales in Lake Michigan?

Whales don't live in the Great Lakes. Or do they? No, not at all. But that doesn't stop visitors – spurred on by ongoing pranks such as the Lake Michigan Whale Migration Station Facebook page – from asking for whale-watching tours.


Are there any sharks in 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 Great Lake is the safest to swim in?

Lake Superior is safe for swimming. In fact, it has the lowest drowning rate of all the Great Lakes, as reflected in the statistics provided by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. There were 108 confirmed drownings in the Great Lakes in 2022, along with 12 unknown final outcomes.


Are there any whales in Lake Michigan?

There is an abundance of life and different creatures you might find in Lake Michigan. Whales just aren't one of them. See all of the animals you can find in the lake here.


What fish is invading Lake Michigan?

Invasive carp include bighead carp, black carp, grass carp and silver carp. Find out more about each of these species and about invasive carp in Michigan on each species' profile below.


What Great Lake is not safe to swim in?

Lake Michigan The Great Lakes are all water bodies that swimmers should think twice about entering. Lake Michigan in particular is the roughest of the Great Lakes, and poses a major risk to those thinking of taking a dip. This body of water is often named the most dangerous lake in the United States.


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.