But have you ever wondered if there are any sharks in the Great Lakes of America? How about in Lake Michigan? Well, the answer might surprise you!
Though the answer to this question may not be exactly what you thought it would be, it is still an exciting answer that deserves to be explored. So let’s dive in!
Where Is Lake Michigan?
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes in the United States of America. Of the five, it is the third-largest, behind Lake Huron, and then the largest, Lake Superior.
Because of its size, Lake Michigan is located in a few states, which include Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and of course, its namesake, Michigan.
There are also plenty of ports all along the shores of Lake Michigan, including Green Bay and Milwaukee in Wisconsin, Muskegon in Michigan, and Chicago in Illinois.
Are There Any Sharks In Lake Michigan?
So, are there any sharks in Lake Michigan? Well, the answer might surprise you. While the short answer is no, it’s not as cut and dry as that. There is a lot more to it than that.
There have been lots of unofficial shark sightings that have been reported not just in Lake Michigan, but also across all of the other great lakes.
Most of these sightings do turn out to be a hoax, but that doesn’t stop new “sightings” from pouring in every year.
The Bull Shark Of Lake Michigan
One of the biggest shark-related sightings and conspiracy theories of Lake Michigan is the belief that bull sharks live in the Great Lake.
Bull sharks are a species of shark that can be found all over the world. They will eat almost anything and they have a particular fondness for fish. They will also eat sea turtles and dolphins.
Bull sharks are connected to the Lake Michigan conspiracy because of their physiology.
Almost all sharks need to keep salt in their bodies in order to survive, but the bull shark has developed a rather unique and special adaptation.
Their kidneys function a bit differently and they have special glands in their tails that allow them to keep salt in their bodies even when they are in freshwater.
Though scientists don’t quite have an answer as to why they can do this, they are searching for a way to understand it.
Because bull sharks can survive in freshwater, there are lots of theories and conspiracies than there are bull sharks wandering around in Lake Michigan.
Theoretically, a shark that can survive in freshwater could make its way from the ocean to Lake Michigan, but it would take a while and it’s highly unlikely.
There isn’t much food that a shark could successfully live off on its way to the Great Lake, which would definitely make it hard for any shark to survive there long.
On top of that, sharks do need salt water and salt to survive, even the ones that have developed the freshwater adaptation, so they wouldn’t be able to survive in the Great Lake forever.
There have been multiple reports of bull shark sightings in Lake Michigan for years and years. One man named Rich Fasi from Traverse City found a dead 2-foot shark on the shores of the Great Lake.
It wasn’t a bull shark but a blacktip shark instead, but it was a shark non the less.
There are a couple of theories as to why the shark was found in Lake Michigan. The main theory is someone caught the shark in the Atlantic Ocean, then kept it on ice and dumped it in Lake Michigan.
Another theory is that someone was keeping it as a pet and it died, so they dumped the body in the lake. The likelihood of the shark being in the lake naturally is incredibly low.
The majority of the bull shark sighting in Lake Michigan have been proved to be hoaxes though and any that have not been confirmed as hoaxes have also not been proved to be scientifically possible.
Whether or not a bull shark, or any shark for that matter, has made its way into Lake Michigan, for now, we’ll just have to believe that it is a popular conspiracy theory or myth of the Great Lake.
Are There Any Other Fish In Lake Michigan?
Though the concept of sharks in Lake Michigan is still a bit up in the air, the Great Lake is home to make different types of other fish.
Some of the most popular and well-known fish you can find in the Great Lake include Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Bowfin, Largemouth Bass, and many more.
Lake Michigan is a popular place for anglers and there is plenty of fishing spots all over the lake.
What Other Wildlife Is There In Lake Michigan?
Though Lake Michigan is most known for its fish, there are a few other animal species that live around its waters.
Lake Michigan is home to a wide variety of bird species that including herring. ring-billed gulls and terns. There are also lots of ducks that can be found in the Great Lake area, such as the scaup and the old-squaw duck.
On top of this, there are plenty of songbirds and other shorebirds that you’re likely to come across if you find yourself on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Conclusion
Although there have been no confirmed, scientifically proven sightings of sharks in Lake Michigan, there are still people who frequently claim that they do exist in the lake.
While it cant be proven, it’s up to you whether or not you believe these claims to be true.
There is a very slim chance a bull shark, in particular, could make it to the shores of Lake Michigan, it’s extremely unlikely and they wouldn’t last very long there! So, believe what you feel is right!
If you’ve never dived with sharks before, then we urge you to try it. My name is Mikayla Adams and I have swum with sharks six times so far.
The beauty of sharks up close and personal is too precious to put into words - there’s nothing like it that I’ve ever experienced. Not only that, but to be in close proximity to one of the ocean’s most ferocious predators is such a thrill!
