Michigan how many lakes

Ken Stevens. When boating the Great Lakes, you're never more than 30 miles from a harbor. Take comfort in knowing a safe shelter is never far away. All rights reserved About Us. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Ad Choices. Skip to Main Content. Published: May. Figure 2 shows the distribution and size of lakes across Michigan. Most lakes in Michigan were formed as the result of glacial activity. The largest lakes in the state are located in the northern portion of the lower peninsula and the upper peninsula. Lakes are common throughout much of the state, but portions of the central lower peninsula and the thumb area are nearly devoid of lakes.

According to Breck , depth contour maps are available for about 2, Michigan inland lakes. These priceless creations of the last ice age provide unlimited high quality recreational opportunities for hundreds of thousands of our citizens and visitors to our magnificent state as well as economic opportunity for tens of thousands of Michigan residents.

The near shore areas of these freshwater gems provide unique lakefront living opportunities with enhanced property values that benefit hundreds of Michigan communities and public school districts. Information and Management Resources U. I caught a strange fish. Are there any resources available to help me identify it? What is the largest lake in Michigan?

What constitutes a watershed? Why is it good to have a buffer zone on the shoreline of a lake? What causes the appearance of foam on my lake? Do I need a permit to stock fish in my lake or pond?

How can the Township Public Works Act be used for lake management projects? What are water and nutrient budgets? Can VHS infect humans? How does VHS affect fish? What can anglers and boaters do to help stop the spread of VHS?

Q: When are algae bad for the lake ecosystem? A: Algae are not necessarily bad for an ecosystem, but they can have negative effects when abundant. Algae blooms prevent sunlight from penetrating to the lake bottom, which deters aquatic plant growth. Aquatic plants are an important part of the ecosystem because they oxygenate the water and provide food and shelter for small fish and macroinvertebrates. Q: What causes the blue-green scum you see on lakes?

Blue-green algae are actually photosynthetic bacteria and can form blooms in lakes that have large amounts of nutrients in them, such as phosphorus and nitrogen. Nuisance algae blooms look like blue or green paint and release noxious odors as the algae decomposes. These blooms can become more pronounced in warm water on hot, calm summer days.

As a general rule it is advised to avoid swimming in areas where it appears blue-green algae is located until the bloom has clears and to keep animals out of water as well.

Blue-green algae is an inherent part of the overall algal community and therefore can not be eradicated. To control blooms and the amount of blue-green algae it is best to reduce the amount of nutrients entering a lake. Common sources of nutrients include lawn fertilizers, and runoff from cities, cultivated farm fields, feedlots and construction sites. Q: Our lake has been treated for excessive algae growth, but the water is still green. A: In lakes, algae treatments are usually intended to remove filamentous algae i.

Algae treatments to lakes do not control planktonic algae i. Planktonic algae control would require treating the entire lake, which is rarely feasible in larger bodies of water it often is feasible in ponds. Controlling planktonic algae problems in lakes usually requires controlling the sources of nutrients that fertilize their growth.

Q: How can I prevent the spread of fish diseases and other aquatic nuisance species? A: There are many nonnative aquatic invasive plants and animals that are threatening the health of our inland fisheries in Michigan.

Anglers and boaters can help prevent the spread of fish diseases and other aquatic nuisance species by following a few easy steps every time they leave the water. A: The little black specks you are seeing on the fish are most likely caused by a parasite larval trematode that burrows into the skin and causes a cyst approximately one millimeter in diameter.

This is a common disease found in earthen bottom ponds and lakes. Generally, infestations of these parasites do little damage to infected fish. Control of this parasite is not necessary because these parasites are incapable of infecting humans and are completely safe to eat. It has been found across North America and it appears that no fish species is immune to it. Grubs can live for several years in fish and under certain circumstances may kill fish but this is rare.

Normal cooking of the fish destroys the grub, therefore infected fish are completely safe to consume according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Q: Short of closing our lake to public access, how can we prevent introductions of aquatic nuisance species? A: The best way to prevent introductions of nuisance species is to inspect recreational watercraft.

Not only is it the law to remove all vegetation before launching a boat but it is also a very good idea. There are three steps which should be taken each time you leave a body of water. One of the most effective ways to prevent new introductions of aquatic nuisance species is to educate the boaters who are using your lake on the proper procedures for cleaning their equipment.

There are a variety of ways to do this. If your boat launch has a kiosk with information on your community and lake, you could display photos and information on aquatic nuisance species and the proper ways to clean equipment. The Department of Natural Resources also recently created aluminum signage for public access sights stressing the importance of clean equipment and stating that it is the law to remove all aquatic vegetation from boats before launching.

One of the most effective and proactive approaches to protecting your lake is to become involved with the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program. The objective of this volunteer program is to educate citizens on how to properly inspect recreational watercraft and communicate with boater effectively on the harmful effects of aquatic invasive species.

Source: www. Q: Will chemical treatment of aquatic plants in my lake eliminate all vegetation? A: Nearly all currently available aquatic plants controls are selective, meaning they impact some plants but not others. Oftentimes, lake managers will use selective chemicals to remove particularly problematic plants, such as exotic species, while leaving other beneficial plants. Q: Is it possible to remove all aquatic plants from my lake?

A : There is no way to remove all vegetation from a lake. Aquatic plants are an important component of the lake ecosystem. They provide many benefits, including stabilizing sediments, oxygenating the water, and providing habitat for fish and invertebrates. Q: What are some benefits of aquatic plants? A: Aquatic plants provide many benefits. They stabilize sediments, which promote greater water clarity, they help oxygenate the water, and they provide valuable cover and habitat for fish and other organisms many of which serve as main food sources for fish.

Removing all aquatic plants from a lake can be expensive and a counterproductive management approach to improving the water quality. Q: Who is required to have boater education in Michigan? A: Persons 12 to 15 years of age may operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp unaccompanied only if they have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have on board their boating safety certificate. Also, those 14 years of age or older and born after December 31, , may operate a PWC personal watercraft - e.

If you are 12 or older, this online safe boating course can be taken in place of the classroom course as preparation for the in-person exam, which is required to obtain your Michigan boating safety certificate.