Is There Sharks In Lake Superior?
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, covering more than 82,000 square miles. It shares shores with three US states and one Canadian province, and its depth is approximately 1,800 feet. But could the legendary “Great Lakes Shark” – a prehistoric beast that some claim exists in its depths – be real?
Rumors of a Great Lakes Shark, or “GLS”, have circulated amongst fishermen, casual observers and conspiracy theorists alike since the mid-19th century. According to myth, the shark is a prehistoric species – resembling a giant freshwater salmon – that has lingered in the depths of Lake Superior for centuries. Despite the enduring lore, leading shark researchers say there’s no scientific evidence to prove their existence.
Certain researchers reject the possibility that a species of large shark could survive for centuries in a freshwater lake. Dr. Bernie Sloan, a leading shark biologist and director of the Institute for Marine Sciences at University of California, Berkeley, explains that most sharks typically require saltwater to survive. Furthermore, Sloan states that due to the presence of cold temperatures, low oxygen levels and food scarcity, even if a large shark could make its way into Lake Superior, it would not be able to survive there.
Although a Lake Superior shark has never been scientifically proven or officially spotted, many locals and tourists claim to have had encounters with one. In a recent survey of over 1,000 people who had visited Lake Superior in the past two years, 32 percent of participants reported seeing a large creature swim close to their boat while they were on the lake. Dan Malvaney, a retired lake fisherman, believes he encountered the legendary creature on a fishing trip in the late ’90s.
“I remember it like it was yesterday. We were two miles out and this massive beast rose up from the deep and just stared into our boat for what felt like an eternity. We were completely petrified; none of us had ever seen anything like this in all our years on the lake. We decided to turn around and head straight for shore,” recalled Malvaney.
Despite this anecdotal evidence, the lack of empirical data means that shark sightings remain nothing more than speculation. McGuinness McBride, the lead researcher of the survey, explains that given the lack of hard facts, claims of Great Lakes Shark sightings should be taken with a grain of salt.
Could Sharks Have Been Brought To Lake Superior By Humans?
The mysterious Lake Superior shark sightings and stories have been looked into by researchers who have suggested the possibility that the species could have been brought their by humans. For example, one plausible explanation offered by scientists was the introduction of Bull Sharks, which are known for their ability to tolerate freshwater and can live in hypoxic lake environments. While the introduction of Bull Sharks to Lake Superior is a theory deemed highly unlikely, it has been suggested that some may have been mistakenly introduced with other fish for bait or for ornamental purposes.
Despite this theory floating around, researchers caution caution that without sound evidence there’s no basis on which to conclude that these sharks actually exist in the lake, let alone to suggest they were introduced by humans. Dr. Sloan of UC Berkeley, who has authored numerous papers on shark behavior, says that it would be impossible to ascertain whether or not the species has been introduced to the lake in question.
Further, Sloan goes on to explain that if the species were intentionally introduced, it is logistically impossible to determine the amount of time they were in the lake or the specific circumstances surrounding their introduction. Ultimately, until more concrete evidence is gathered, the existence of any Lake Superior shark remains shrouded in mystery.
The Possibility of a Subaquatic Lake Superior Monster
Researchers point out that although sightings of the shark remain unverified and unsubstantiated, some have suggested the notion that an elusive Lake Superior monster – much like Scotland’s Loch Ness – may be lurking in the depths of the lake. While this possibility could not be determined empirically, it has been speculated by locals and tourists that the mysterious creature is an aquatic species, such as a giant sturgeon or undisclosed variety of eel.
In support of this speculation, research shows that giant sturgeon can grow up to 10 feet in length and weight as much as a ton. Notably, sturgeon also reside in river systems connected to Lake Superior, which increases the likelihood that they may have crossed over into the lake. However, there has yet to be any conclusive evidence to substantiate the existence of any large underwater monster in Lake Superior.
Nevertheless, locals of the area, such as Malvaney, refuse to discount the possibility of the creature’s existence altogether. Despite the skepticism of scientists and researchers, Malvaney maintains that “it’s only a matter of time before the Great Lakes Shark appears in the guise of a previously undiscovered species”. Nonetheless, as of yet, no scientific evidence supporting the existence of any aquatic creature in Lake Superior has been brought to light.
The Legend Continues To Intrigue
The tale of the Great Lakes Shark, or the so-called “Lake Superior Monster”, continues to capture the imaginations of those who visit and live in the area. The mystery of this elusive creature has undoubtedly invigorated debate amongst scientists and civilians alike, one which may never be solved. In the meantime, whale-watchers, fishermen and local beach-goers will continue to share their stories and experiences with the mysterious creature, no matter how unfounded.
Health and Safety Considerations
Several health and safety considerations exist if it were to be proven that sharks or some other aquatic species do reside in Lake Superior. For instance, most large aquatic animals can be dangerous to those who enter their natural habitats, requiring measures such as safety boats and warning signs to be implemented to protect both humans and animals from harm. Further, large aquatic creatures can be vulnerable to overfishing, with conservation efforts needing to be put in place to ensure their survival and health.
The potential for large aquatic creatures in Lake Superior raises some potentially dangerous, but important, issues. Therefore, research efforts should be encouraged and supported in order to reliably determine the existence of aquatic species in Lake Superior.
Economic, Cultural and Historical Implications
If the Great Lakes Shark were to be proven to exist, there would be substantial economic, cultural, and historical implications. For example, it has been suggested that the looming presence of the Great Lakes Shark has attracted tourists to the area, potentially contributing to the economic wellbeing of local businesses. Along with economic repercussions, if proven, the Great Lakes Shark may also eventually become an official figurehead of the region.
In addition, the presence of the species in the lake would trigger questions around historical accuracy. Experts believe that the widely-held assumption that the species is a prehistoric animal may be inaccurate, and instead theorize that it was introduced more recently. If this is the case, the implications for historical research and accuracy around the beast’s introduction to the lake are vast.
At this point, however, it is not possible to draw any firm conclusions from the scant evidence that exists. Until more conclusive evidence is gathered, the debate of the Great Lakes Shark’s existence will continue.
Conspiracy Theories and Occult Legends
The possibility of the Great Lakes Shark has also attracted conspiracists and sparked a range of occult legends since its first sighting. Stories of the Great Lakes Shark have been featured in books, television shows, and even in film, with the most recent example being the 2020 movie “Lake Superior Monster”. Despite these myths, however, there is still no hard evidence to prove their utility.
Furthermore, conspiracy theorists have argued that the government may be hiding evidence of the shark from the public. Some speculation has been made that the government is aware of the creature’s existence, but has worked to discredit the sightings due to political or economic interests. Indeed, despite the dozens of reported sightings, no official, verifiable proof of the creature’s existence has any yet been found.
Thus, without firm evidence, the possibility of a Great Lakes Shark or other aquatic species inhabiting Lake Superior remains a deeply intriguing yet unproven notion.
