With all the amazing creatures in the world, it can be hard to pick one to focus on – and Lake Michigan animals may not be the first to come to mind! But Michigan is home to some beautiful and profound creatures that can be found in and around its wide expanse of water. To get to know the creatures of Lake Michigan, it is important to understand the environment they inhabit.
At nearly 116,000 square kilometers, Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Containing more than 3,000 species of plants and animals, it is the only Great Lake located entirely within the United States. Despite housing such a variety of life, the lake is highly vulnerable to human activities, including fishing, increasing water levels and water contamination.
The lake is home to over a hundred species of fish, including some of the most abundant and important in the region: alewife, Chinook salmon, lake sturgeon, lake trout, yellow perch, northern pike and smallmouth bass. Most of the fish live in the warmer, shallow waters along the shoreline or in the estuaries. But some species, like the lake sturgeon, can be found in the deeper parts of the lake.
In addition to the variety of fish, there are also several species of terrapins, turtles and snakes living in the lake. Some freshwater turtles, like the painted turtle and the midland smooth softshell, spend time along the shorelines hunting for food or laying eggs. The lake contains two species of snakes, the northern water snake and the northern redbelly snake, which can be found swimming around the littoral zone (the shallowest parts of the lake).
When it comes to aquatic mammals, the lake is known for its lake sturgeon, lake trout, lake whitefish and lake herring, which attract over 150 species of birds. Birds to be found on the lake include common loons, long-tailed ducks, red-breasted mergansers and common goldeneyes. Some birds, like the ring-billed gulls and double-crested cormorants, stay around the lake year-round, while others, like the trumpeter swan, migrate through the area during the winter.
But there is much more to the lake than just fish and birds. Other fauna living in the lake includes muskrats, otters, beavers, mink and bald eagles. The lake is also home to several species of mollusks, crustaceans and other invertebrates. In fact, there are more than 60 species of zooplankton that live in Lake Michigan.
Though the lake is filled with fascinating creatures, its delicate balance must be protected. It is important to remember that Lake Michigan is not just a beautiful body of water, it is also a delicate eco-system and the home to a wildlife. So the next time you are near the lake, take a moment to appreciate what is living within it.
Amphibians Of Lake Michigan
Along with the variety of fish, birds, mammals and invertebrates that live in and around Lake Michigan, there are also several species of amphibians. From frogs to salamanders, these amphibians play important roles in the food web, providing prey for predatory fish, birds and small mammals.
The most common amphibian in the lake is the American Bullfrog. These frogs are typically found in shallow, marsh-like areas, often near a shoreline. Other amphibian species in the lake include the Eastern American Toad and the Eastern Redback Salamander. The Eastern American Toad is a small yet surprisingly tough species that inhabits the muddy, shallow bottom of the lake.
The Eastern Redback Salamander is found throughout the lake, and is a very important member of the local food web. It feeds off of insects, worms and other invertebrates, which helps to keep their numbers in check and keeps the lake healthy. In fact, the presence of these salamanders in the lake is a good indication of the lake’s overall health.
Other amphibian species that live in the lake include the Spotted Salamander, the Wood Frog and the Green Frog. All three of these species are found in and around Lake Michigan and play important roles in the food web.
Overall, the amphibians of Lake Michigan play an important role in the lake’s ecology and should be protected. It is important to remember that, as with all wildlife species, they should be treated with respect; they should not be taken, harmed or disturbed in any way.
Freshwater Mussels
One of the least known yet important species of Lake Michigan are freshwater mussels. Though small in size, these creatures play an important role in the health of the lake. Freshwater mussels help to filter pollutants from the water, and help to keep the lake clean and healthy.
These mussels can be found in many areas of the lake, from the shoreline all the way up to the deeper waters. In fact, there are over ten species of freshwater mussels that live in Lake Michigan, each one serving a unique purpose. Some species, like the freshwater drum, help to filter plankton from the lake and help to keep the lake’s water clean.
Other species, like the pond mussel, are an important food source for many fish and birds. The pond mussel is an especially important species in Lake Michigan, as it helps to keep populations of other invasive species in check. Without the pond mussel, the lake’s food web could be thrown out of balance.
It is important to remember that freshwater mussels are part of the lake’s delicate ecosystem, and should be treated with respect. When fishing in areas of the lake known to contain mussels, it is important to take care not to disturb them in any way.
Invasive Species
In the past few decades, Lake Michigan has been the site of several invasive species introductions. These species – like the sea lamprey, the round goby or the quagga mussel – have been able to quickly gain a foothold in the lake’s ecosystem and can wreak havoc on the already delicate balance.
The sea lamprey, for example, is an eel-like predator that attaches itself to larger fish and sucks the life out of them. This species has caused a dramatic decline in several important fish species in the lake, including the lake trout and the lake sturgeon. In addition, the quagga mussel, another invasive species, has spread to large parts of the lake, clogging the intakes of power plants and disrupting the lake’s water cycle.
Invasive species of Lake Michigan can have a devastating effect on the lake’s ecosystem, as well as its human inhabitants. It is important to remember that, with human activities increasingly impacting natural ecosystems, it is important to take measures to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Conservation Efforts
Conservation efforts are important in keeping the balance of Lake Michigan’s ecosystem intact. Local, regional and federal efforts have been put in place to protect the lake’s marine life, as well as its human population.
The primary goal of Lake Michigan conservation is to keep the lake clean and healthy, while also preserving its delicate balance of fauna and flora. To do this, scientists and government officials have put in place a number of measures, including limiting fishing quotas, monitoring water quality and ensuring that construction projects don’t disrupt the lake’s delicate marine life.
In addition, since the lake provides a home to many important species of fish and wildlife, conservation efforts also focus on monitoring and protecting spawning sites and their eggs, as well as providing habitats for other species. The goal of these efforts is to ensure that the lake’s important species are allowed to thrive, and that the lake remains a healthy and vibrant environment for all its inhabitants.
Conclusion
Lake Michigan is home to a variety of plant and animal species, both large and small. Not only are these creatures an important part of the lake’s ecosystem, they also provide important food sources to other animals in the lake. With numerous conservation efforts in place to protect the lake, it is important to remember that the creatures of Lake Michigan need to be respected and preserved.
