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Lake Michigan

Illinois
57857.42 km²
44.0079, -86.7565
12 species
NHD {0BB28A37-D665-4735-A2DA-5C08014F9EEF}
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Imagery © Esri
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About Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan is a natural lake or pond in Illinois, United States. It covers approximately 57857.42 km² (14296859 acres). The lake centroid is located at 44.0079° N, 86.7565° W. 12 fish species are commonly found in waters like this one, including 1 introduced species. Lake boundary and identifier come from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.

At a glance

Best season
May – September
Ice-off through early fall
Natural lake
Very large
Big-water tactics apply
Species diversity
Diverse
12 species in this region
Access
Public waterbody
Check Illinois fishing regulations

Weather at Lake Michigan

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Best fishing times today

Day length: 11h 26m
Dawn11:23
Sunrise11:52
Sunset23:19
Dusk23:48

Bite windows today

  • Dawn10:53 – 12:52Excellent
  • Morning12:52 – 17:36Good
  • Midday17:36 – 20:19Calm
  • Afternoon20:19 – 22:19Good
  • Dusk22:19 – 00:18Excellent
  • Night00:18 – 10:53Good
Moon: 11% · waning↑ 08:28

Fish species

Species data comes from GBIF and is refreshed by donors.Support this →

Showing 12 of 12 species

Plan your trip to Lake Michigan

Everything you need before you launch — license, regulations, and current water conditions.

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Illinois DNR
Water conditions & levels
USGS gauge data near Lake Michigan
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Frequently asked questions

What fish species live in Lake Michigan?

Species you can expect in or near Lake Michigan include Crappie, Yellow Perch, Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, and others. The list is based on species present in Illinois waters and GBIF occurrence records.

How big is Lake Michigan?

Lake Michigan covers approximately 57857.42 square kilometres (14296859 acres), based on the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.

Where is Lake Michigan located?

Lake Michigan is located in Illinois, United States, with its centroid at 44.0079°, -86.7565°.

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Data sources: USGS National Hydrography Dataset · GBIF