Is there a possibility of finding sharks in Lake Huron? The Great Lakes region is home to a large number of fish species, including freshwater sharks, yet the suggestion of the presence of these predators near shore of Lake Huron begs the question, “Are there sharks in Lake Huron?”
The answer is not straightforward and largely depends on the species under discussion. It is estimated that some 1,800 species of fish swim through the waters of the five Great Lakes. Common species in Lake Huron are black and yellow perch, sunfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, whitefish, and carp. Sharks are rarely spotted in the Great Lakes. In order to better understand the issue of sharks in Lake Huron, let’s take a look at the existing habitats and water temperatures.
Lake Huron, which is the fifth-largest lake in the world by surface area, at approximately 59,000 square miles. It has a diverse geological makeup comprising of varied habitats, including shallow regions, bays and estuaries, shorelines, and a deep basin with profound depths. In addition, most of the water in Lake Huron remains cold throughout the year, with temperatures ranging between 37°F and 70°F. In fact, Lake Huron remains coldest of all the Great Lakes, with a long-term average temperature of 44.1°F.
Since water temperature is an important factor for various species of cold-water fish, sharks, which are ectotherms, can rarely survive in such cold waters. Sharks prefer warm temperatures that are typically present in saltwater. Furthermore, most of the food sources available in Lake Huron may not be plentiful enough to sustain a shark’s calorie needs. This is because the majority of organisms living in Lake Huron, and in fact all the Great Lakes, are relatively small. Some call it a “novel” ecosystem, and while a couple of groups of fish are large enough to be considered prey items, they are typically not liable to support an apex predator like a shark.
Although there are extremely rare sightings of Lake Huron sharks, most are unlikely to actually be sharks. These creatures usually turn out to be other species of large fish such as muskies, gar, and sturgeon. The most common shark spotted in the Great Lakes is the Lake Ontario Sharks, which is actually a species of dogfish. Based on the available evidence, it can be concluded that sharks are very unlikely to be present in the cold waters of Lake Huron.
Effects Of The Cold Water On Sharks
One prevailing theory as to why sharks are absent from the cold atmosphere of Lake Huron is that, due to their ectothermic nature, their metabolism slows down significantly in cold water. This is problematic because when their metabolic rate is slowed down, the rate at which they absorb nutrients from their food decreases drastically. This can ultimately lead to an overall reduction of growth and health of sharks. Another factor that differs between cold and warm-water habitats is oxygen content. The oxygen levels in Lake Huron are low as compared to regions with warm water temperatures. Low oxygen levels can also affect the growth and health of sharks.
It is generally accepted that the cold water of Lake Huron is not suitable for the survival of sharks. Sharks may be able to survive a few months in the cold waters of Lake Huron, but they would not be able to thrive and reproduce. This is mainly because of a lack of food sources and the decrease in metabolic rate due to the cold water.
Are There Any Sharks Living In The Great Lakes?
Certain species which are well-adapted to the cold temperatures of Lake Huron may sometimes be mistaken for small sharks. The most likely species to be mistaken for a shark is the Muskie, which is a large, freshwater fish that can reach lengths of more than 5 feet under ideal conditions. It also has a large mouth and sharp teeth-features which are quite similar to many shark species.
Lake sturgeon is another large fish that is capable of reaching great lengths and can be mistaken for a shark. It can grow to be over 6 feet long and has a long, shark-like snout. Even the Lake Ontario Sharks, which are the most common species of “shark” in the Great Lakes is actually a species of dogfish. They do not look like sharks and feed on small aquatic creatures.
The most common species of shark species is the Bull Shark which is known to stray in the waters of Lake Michigan from time to time. This species is known to have ventured up the Illinois River, which is connected to Lake Michigan, but there have been no reports of Bull Sharks in other Great Lakes. To date there have been only a few incidences of sharks being reported in the Great Lakes and most of those sightings were mistaken identities of other large fish species.
Can Sharks Survive In The Great Lakes?
Generally speaking, it is not feasible for sharks to survive in the Great Lakes; however, this is not to say that it is impossible. Species of sharks such as Bull Sharks are known to survive in both freshwater and saltwater, which allows them to potentially inhabit the Great Lakes region throughout certain seasons. In addition, as temperatures continue to warm, more species of fish may become suitable for shark populations, though sharks will still have to contend with the cold temperatures of most of the Great Lakes.
Despite their potential to survive in cold water, sharks are unlikely to be able to reproduce in that environment. Reproduction and growth rely on plentiful food sources that are not always available in the Great Lakes. Without this nutrition sharks are unlikely to grow and reproduce. Thus, when looking for signs of existing shark populations in the Great Lakes, it is important to understand the limitations put in place by the current environment and food chain.
Great Lakes Shark History
There have been some confirmed cases of sharks being found in the Great Lakes over the years, though they were either a result of misidentification or an individual that had been transported by people and released into the lake by mistake. For instance, a large fish called the bowfin is often mistaken for a small shark due to its body shape and dorsal fin. In addition, sawfish and something called the lake sturgeon are also often mistaken for sharks.
There are also reports of Bull Sharks making their way up into the Mississippi River, which eventually leads up to the Great Lakes, but again no evidence of any reproducing populations has been reported. One of the most interesting stories involving sharks in the Great Lakes comes from a secret experimentation done by the US military in 1955. During the experiment, six sharks were apparently released into Lake Michigan, however, the United States Navy denied the reports.
Conclusion
In summary, it is unlikely for there to be a large population of sharks in Lake Huron. The cold water temperature, lack of food resources and unfavorable living conditions in Lake Huron prohibit sharks from surviving in the waters. This is not to say that no shark species have been found in the Great Lakes, as certain species do occasionally venture into the area, but they are usually not able to reproduce and thrive in the environment. Therefore, there is very little chance of a shark population establishing itself in any of the Great Lakes, let alone Lake Huron.
