The lake Michigan region is without a doubt one of the most gorgeous areas on the planet. In terms of attractions for tourists, you’ll find long, beautiful beaches, big clouds that gather above the lake on occasion – providing for some weird picture opportunities – and vibrant cities that are just waiting for you to explore them.
When it comes to the lake itself, there are plenty of fish and other seafood to be found, making Lake Michigan a location worth crossing if you’re traveling by boat or diving into if you’re interested in seeing what’s beneath the water’s surface.
Diving, on the other hand, should be done with caution, as there are some dangerous species lurking in the depths of Lake Michigan. Some of the marine species that we are about to explain in the following paragraphs may be unexpected, but we guarantee you that they are present and ready to be discovered if you look for them. You shouldn’t be alarmed, however, because the chances of encountering one of the following fish are extremely remote.
To begin, let’s take a look at some of the most harmful fish that swim around in Lake Michigan.
Piranha
The answer is no, they are not a species of fish that is often found in Lake Michigan because doing so would make the area an unsafe and unattractive place to be. It has not been reported that any Piranha have been discovered in Lake Michigan thus far. They do, however, tend to appear very frequently in some of the smaller lakes in the Midwest region of the United States.
Furthermore, a Pacu, which is a kind of fish that is closely related to the piranha – although it is larger than the latter – has been caught in a lake in the state of Illinois.
Piranha are a type of fish that is often found in South America, thus there is only one way they could have gotten into Lake Michigan, and that is through the hands of the hands men. Every one of the Piranhas and Pacus that are caught by fisherman is considered to have been a pet at one point in their lives. The fact that they are housed at home in a tank has certainly prompted some owners to allow them to return to their natural habitat – and so move them to Lake Michigan –
As a matter of fact, their numbers have apparently increased over the previous few years, making this an irresponsible statement. We can assume that they are having a nice time swimming in Lake Michigan and the adjacent lakes because cold water is their native environment — a Pacu has been caught in Lake St. Clair, which is located near Port Huron.
Sea Lamprey
If you like, you can even bring your spinning rod with you; but, the chances of catching a Sea Lamprey are virtually non-existent. Let’s take a look at why. It is believed that they were originally an ocean-only fish, but that they have learned to exist in fresh water.
The lakes of Michigan have seen Sea Lamprey infestations since the 1950s, which is a result of this phenomenon. This parasitic fish has a body that is quite similar to that of an eel and is parasitic on other fish. Their mouth, however, is the most terrifying aspect about them, as it reminds us of the Kraken from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
Their mouth is stuffed with teeth – yeah, you read that correctly. From the outside of the mouth to the inside of the mouth, you can almost exclusively see teeth. Even though they are little in comparison to other living things, they are capable of causing significant harm to the creature to which they attach themselves.
This is accomplished successfully by the Sea Lamprey using its tongue to grind down the flesh of its target in order to be able to feed on the blood of the prey. A Piranha, on the other hand, is not significantly more terrifying than this fish.
The saliva of the Sea Lamprey includes an anticoagulant that is capable of keeping a wound open for hours – in the best case scenario – or even for several weeks in the worst case scenario. However, this is mostly dependent on its appetite. For as long as the Lamprey is linked to its target, the wound will remain open, and it will only close when the Lamprey receives a substantial meal or when the host dies.
Snakehead
Snakeheads are a severe concern not just to the ecosystem of Lake Michigan, but they may also pose a harm to you. Despite this, they are one of the most intriguing species of fish found anywhere on the planet!
First and foremost, you may leave your fish finder at home because there is a good probability that you will find this fish on land – and while strolling. This sort of fish, like the infamous Davy Jones – yet another Pirates of the Caribbean allusion – can only walk and breathe on land for seven days at a time. Due to the fact that Davy Jones was only able to remain on land for one day, we believe it is reasonable to conclude that the Snakehead has won this war.
Despite the fact that it may grow up to three feet in length and have razor-sharp teeth, a Snakehead does not use them to their full extent.
They pose a hazard to the environment of the lakes in which they inhabit since they will consume every single living thing that can be found in them, putting the ecosystem at risk. Everything! And when they’re finished, they’ll rise from the depths, walk on land – with the assistance of their fins – and look for the next lake or body of water where they may continue to gorge themselves.
A bounty has been placed on their heads by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources because they are considered to be so detrimental to a lake’s ecosystem. Each deceased Snakehead that was brought in once provided you with gift cards worth $200 each. Yes, they really are that bad for you!
Of course, it isn’t even necessary to add that they have a terrifying head that closely resembles that of a snake – Snakehead, to be precise – because that is self-evident!
These were the kind of harmful fish that could be found — if infrequently – in or around Lake Michigan. Furthermore, the Bull Shark has been reported in Lake Michigan, however there have been no verifiable accounts of such a species being caught. A shark would just be a typical sighting among those two terrible species of fish, even though it’s possible given the presence of Sea Lampreys and Snakeheads already in the area.
As previously said, it is highly improbable that you will come across such critters while traveling across Lake Michigan by car or boat. Before going diving, however, you should verify the lake’s Riptide news and reports to make sure the water is safe.