Lake Michigan: History, Depth & Temperature

POSTED: Jul 21, 2025

Lake Shore of Chicago

Lake Shore of Chicago

Lake Michigan is home to a wide range of bird populations, fish, and tallgrass prariers. For more information on the water quality of Lake Michigan, read our previous blog about Chicago Fish – To Eat or Not To Eat?.

History

Lake Michigan is the third largest lake of the Great Lakes.

Lake Michigan’s water surface is 22,300 square miles (57,800 square kilometers). Lake Michigan touches Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Chicago is at the lake’s southernmost point, and Milwaukee is located on the southwestern shore of the lake.

Related Sources: Chicago Harbor Lighthouse

Depth

The lake’s average water depth is 279 feet (85 meters) and its maximum depth is 925 feet (282 meters).

Temperature

Water temperatures on Lake Michigan make it to the 60s in July and August and can sometimes make it into the 70s when air temperatures have been in the 90s for a number of continuous days.


Images and Sources: Shutterstock, LivesScience

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