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Lake Michigan Water Temperatures for Northeast Wisconsin

Lake Michigan is a vast, fresh water lake that is a haven for swimmers, boaters, and fishermen.

Though not as warm as the oceans, temperatures of Lake Michigan do rise to the high 60s in July and August to make swimming enjoyable, and definitely refreshing! Rarely do temperatures make it to the 70s, unless air temperatures stay up in the 90s for many continuous days.

If Lake Michigan is still too chilly for your taste, head to the inland lakes where temperatures will usually be much warmer. Smaller lakes tends to warm more quickly than Lake Michigan.

You have likely been hearing about the historic water levels in Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes, and many of your favorite beaches have nearly disappeared as Lake Michigan has advanced. But don’t be discouraged–most every Lake Michigan destination has an abundance of beaches and parks, so you can usually find at least one or two big beaches which still have ample sand and long shorelines for walking, relaxing, rock-hunting, and swimming.

There are instances of shore erosion around the entire lake, and reports of the rising waters engulfing the edges of some parks where the sidewalks may now be under few inches of water. The docks at many marinas have been affected, and the piers to lighthouses are often closed on windy days, because the waves are washing over the piers, making them unsafe to walk on.

The rising lake levels remind us of the power of nature.

Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations

New Buffalo, Michigan

New Buffalo, Michigan is notably known as the Gateway to Michigan and is included on the Lake Michigan Circle Tour.

Manistee Lighthouse

Manistee, Michigan

The “Victorian Port City” of Manistee is part of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour and is also the gateway to scenic highway M-22.

Suttons Bay, Michigan

Suttons Bay, in Leelanau County, about midway up the eastern shore of Leelanau Peninsula and is a very popular destination in the summer time.

Winthrop Harbor

Winthrop Harbor, Illinois

Winthrop Harbor is located on the northern border of Illinois. It is a suburb of Chicago and houses the largest marina on the Great Lakes.

Lake Michigan water

Racine County, Wisconsin

Racine County, in the southeast corner of Wisconsin, includes communities like Racine, Caledonia, Burlington, Mount Pleasant, and Sturtevant.

Saugatuck, Michigan

Saugatuck, Michigan has been regarded as the “Art Coast of Michigan” and has approximately two dozen galleries to visit.