Lake Michigan: One of North America's Great Lakes

Key Facts About Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake entirely within the United States. It borders four states: Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

• Surface area: ~57,800 km² (22,300 sq mi) — 2nd largest Great Lake by area.
• Volume: 4,920 km³ (1,180 cu mi) — 3rd largest by volume.
• Max depth: 281 m (923 ft).
• Connection: Hydrologically one lake with Lake Huron via the Straits of Mackinac.
• Major inflows: Fox, Grand, Kalamazoo, Milwaukee, Menominee, St. Joseph rivers.
• Major cities: Chicago, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Gary, Muskegon.
• Fisheries: Salmon, trout, whitefish, perch, bass.
• Recreation: Boating, swimming, fishing, beaches, dunes (Indiana Dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes).

Lake Michigan drives regional economy, ecology, and quality of life for 12+ million people in its watershed.