Try to pet one, and you may lose a few fingers. Also, there was once a dead bull shark found on the shore of Lake Michigan, but no one knows how it got there. If you are planning a visit to Lake Michigan, piranhas should not be a concern for you. Though there have been similar reports of dead sharks washing up on the shores of Lakes Huron, Erie, and Superior, these claims do not have any scientifically documented evidence to back them up either. And other interesting facts. Bull sharks are the least known of the three. Sign up to receive the Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter at chicagotribune.com/newsletters for more photos and stories from the Tribunes archives. The algal organisms bloom rapidly reproduce when the water contains a large amount of their favorite nutrients, the temperature becomes warm, and the water has low movement. It doesnt happen often, but some shark species can thrive in freshwater, and climate change could increase the chances of an encounter with a shark in the landlocked Midwest, Kevin Feldheim, who conducts shark research at Chicagos Field Museum of Natural History, told AccuWeather. American eels are born far offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and immediately migrate towards North America. 131 likes. The surfer took a punch at the shark, which circled back after the initial bite and came at the teen, Bellone said. Dams now keep any wandering sharks from entering the river. But have you ever wondered if there are any sharks in the Great Lakes of America? When I worked for the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, it was inevitable that every summer Id get approached by people asking about sharks in the Missouri River. These parasitic fish are native to the Atlantic Ocean and were accidentally introduced to the Great Lakes in the early 20th century. These large waves are called 'seiches' and can reach several feet (meters) in height, similar to saltwater waves in the ocean. While no one can say with absolute certainty, but it is a really good bet that Lake Michigan truly is shark free. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Are Bull Sharks Really In Lake Michigan Or The Ohio River? They have been reportedly seen in Lake Michigan, although some instances, like this dead bull shark found on the lake's shore, are a bit uncertain. Bull sharks prefer water warmer than seventy degrees fahrenheit, and Lake Michigan's water is only that warm during a few weeks each year. In the summer of 2012, a man from Kenora, Ontario, Canada was fishing when he dipped his toes in the water. Could A Shark Survive In The Great Lakes? They have even been found in the Mississippi and Amazon Rivers. This algae reproduces quickly in warmer environments when the movement of the water is slow and can survive in nutrient-rich waters. Though there have been some reports of bull sharks existing in Lake Michigan, there has not been a lot of scientific evidence to support these claims, nor have any people been attacked. Another dangerous creature is the sea lamprey, a horrifying looking parasitic creature that uses its sharp teeth to clamp onto its prey, making holes in its body and then inserting its rough tongue to access its blood and other bodily fluids. They are a threatened species, but theres still enough of them not to cause concern and these creatures will be around for some time to come! However, Lake Michigan is a large freshwater lake located in the northern United States, far from the typical habitats of bull sharks. We Took A Closer Look, 3 White Shark Cage Diving Tours In California, Are Tiger Sharks Aggressive? Hence, these reports of a Bull Shark, may be instead people seeing a Lake Sturgeon who has a similar appearance to a shark. Two Coho fishermen pulled a 29-inch shark from Lake Michigan about two miles off the Milwaukee shore on April 25, 1969. Even the photographer said it could have been a piece of driftwood. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. What follows are a sampling of the answers provided by Tribune reporters. If you swallow any water with these toxins in it, you could end up with gastrointestinal or even neurotoxic issues including vomiting, numbness, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. The beach was temporarily closed. They only attack on occasion. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. Considered a place of great beauty and very popular with tourists, this water body has a dark side as well. Once dragged under, it is very difficult to escape, and many people do not survive, unaware of the proper procedures to follow when caught in such a scenario. Unlike most sharks, bull sharks can survive in freshwater for long periods of time. Great Lakes Waters Are Too Cold Found in lakes and rivers, this shark only returns to the sea to breed. I think we got the story from some British magazine. People do not read safety procedures beforehand, which makes them panic if they are caught in these waves and decreases their chance to survive the riptide. I figured it out., Baseball, softball and girls soccer scores for Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The Bull Shark is the only species of shark that could potentially live in the Great Lakes waters. There have only been reports of small populations in the extreme corners of the lake and not full-fledged infestations. However, the evidence that theyre in Lake Michigan is nonexistent or, in one case, questionable. When large storms move quickly across a large lake like Lake Michigan, it causes friction between the strong winds and the surface of the water, resulting in the formation of large waves. This is highly unlikely because the water at the mouth of St. Lawrence is too cold. To be honest with you,we hate paying for camping. Shell told AccuWeather that while it may be easy to dismiss the two confirmed reports of bull sharks in the Mississippi River as one-off events, that ignores the interesting questions of how these animals evaded detection and got so far upstream in the first place.. Lake Michigan has earned the reputation of the deadliest among all the Great Lakes of North America, due to the treacherous conditions that result in the deaths of many lake-goers every year. 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. Lake Sturgeon are a relatively rare fish naturally found in Lake Michigan. The fish was more than 3 feet long. If you enjoyed this article, you can also check out our pages on thresher shark facts and are there penguins in the North Pole? Their real danger is that they destroy native species and, therefore ecosystems. Though the largest wave to be recently recorded was 23 ft (7.1 m), which occurred in September 2011, the largest wave ever from Lake Michigan to actually strike the coast of Michigan was around 10 ft (3 m). We explored the 7 Best Campgrounds on Lake Michigan. If the Bull Shark could deal with the temperatures of the lakes in winter, and the lack of good. Following the release of the movie Jaws in the summer of 1975, Tribune readers had questions about a reported shark attack in Lake Michigan from years earlier and submitted them to the papers Action line, which at the time answers questions, solves problems and cuts red tape.. Sharks typically dont like to live in areas that have cold waters. The fact that bull sharks live near the coast and in rivers gives them easier access to humans and they are known to attack. This helps them maintain their salt levels which have a great effect on their lifespan. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Or possibly a prank on the fisherman that found it. They are apex predators that dont mature until theyre around 15 or 20 years old. 2019 Copyright lakemichigansharkfree.com. A better imposter for a shark attack in Lake Michigan is the Muskellunge. Cyanobacteria is certainly the most insidious of all the Lake Michigan dangers. The varied names stem from the many habitats in which the bull shark resides. Unfortunately, these blooms can last from a few days to a few weeks. Explore the latest news & podcasts. A lot of people have wondered whether Bull Sharks can live in the Great Lakes. Bull sharks are known to be adaptable and can tolerate freshwater environments for short periods of time, but they typically prefer saltwater habitats. Another theory is that someone was keeping it as a pet and it died, so they dumped the body in the lake. 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. The first was in Alton, Illinois, in 1937, and the second was in Missouri in 1995. These swarms have not been described as very dangerous, as piranhas do not usually attack humans as represented in the media. Spending time in Lake Michigan doesnt seem to be any more dangerous than most other waterways, maybe even less so than in other parts of the country. In terms of water chemistry, Lake Michigan has a relatively low salinity compared to the ocean, with an average salt concentration of around 0.1%. At their biggest, bull sharks can stretch to around 13 feet, although its rare for them to grow this big. Similar to the bull shark, there have been sightings of piranhas in Lake Michigan. Another dangerous organism that is prevalent in the Great Lakes is Cyanobacteria, more commonly known as blue-green algae. So, yes, bull sharks can swim into freshwater and we think they can stay there for several years possibly.[1]. It is highly unlikely that bull sharks live in Lake Michigan. While these turtles are not aggressive, they have a powerful bite and can cause serious injury if handled improperly. Or, this report near Chicago in 2014 of a possible shark fin sticking up out of the water. It was there that two commercial fishermen in 1937 noticed that their mesh traps were consistently getting raided by a large predator. However, the lamprey are difficult to eradicate because the larval forms dig into the sediment and can live there for up to ten years. Is It Possible For A Shark To Swim Backwards? Bull sharks are connected to the Lake Michigan conspiracy because of their physiology. Lake Michigan is quite notorious for its large, crashing waves that move across the surface of the lake. The Illinois River has seen at least one documented case. [confirmed!] Bull sharks are primarily found in saltwater environments such as estuaries and coastal areas and are known for their ability to tolerate freshwater as well. Especially, as the shark would have to swim past and through the lock system of the Niagara Fall. Mainly due to the eclectic barrier found by Chicago. Some are true, and some are not. In fact, just 80 incidents of shark attacks are recorded every single year, yet millions of sharks are killed as a result of shark fin fishing and the use of shark nets. More people are killed from vending machines than bull sharks. Another example is cataloged in the Global Shark Attack File, a listing to track shark attacks by the non-profit Shark Research Institute. How Deep is Lake Superior? So, believe what you feel is right! The main disadvantage being the lack of food that a shark would typically find in their natural habitat. Once again, Bull Sharks are the only species of shark that could withstand the cold temperatures of the Great Lakes. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our, Global Shark Attack file: George Lawson case >>>, Dansby Swanson, bloodied by his own helmet, helps the Chicago Cubs shake off a weekend sweep with a 5-1 win, Discovery channeled. While there have been occasional reports of bull sharks being found in freshwater environments such as rivers, it is unlikely that they would be able to establish a breeding population in a freshwater lake such as Lake Michigan. An article from a Montana newspaper went viral in 2015 when it claimed that a fisherman caught a juvenile bull shark on the Missouri River, but it turned out to be an April Fools joke. So, the river systems allow for bull sharks to get here, but would they stay? The reality is that the largest of the Great Lakes (Lake Superior and Michigan) are extremely deep lakes that are too cold for sharks. Read. The biggest concern for people planning to swim in this lake is not a bull shark attack, but how to deal with the dangerous riptides! Though most sharks would not be able able to handle the absence of salt in water, causing their cells to rupture, a bull shark's kidneys are able to recycle salt and maintain proper salt levels while it is in a freshwater environment. Bull sharks kidneys recycle salt water, so theyre able to swim through rivers and lakes, according to National Geographic.