Water levels.

[Mike S.]

What is going on around here?  It seriously seems like someone pulled the plug in Lake Michigan, and everything is going dry. I realize we had no winter last year, and not much as far as rain this summer. It is unbelievable how low Muskegon Lake is right now. In all honesty, I bet it is down close to 2 feet. Everywhere you look by the river is sand. Going up the river to a certain spot is almost impossible as of today. I was churning up mud with the plate up, and the motor trimmed as high as I could go but still allow for water to be picked up.

It is scary to think what next year will bring at this rate. Several of my favorite spots are literally out of the water, or really close to it. I don't know how things are looking on the east side, but it is pretty sad here.

On a good note, the smallies are biting!!!!

[LennyB]

We are down at least a foot or more from last year on St. Clair/Detroit River. I was going through a cut I usually have no problem passing through and knocked a chunk of glass off the rear corner of my boat last week.

[djkimmel]

Ouch! Yes, be careful all over. I'm seeing lots of stuff sticking out of the water everywhere I go including every bridge I drive over. That means a lot more is just under the surface, just waiting to get someone...

[fiker]

In the Detroit River it is painfully obvious how low the water levels are.  You can see the high water marks on pilings and sea walls.   Along shore in certain places you can see exposed weeds that are still green.  So earlier this summer they were underwater and alive.  A lot of this drop in water has occurred over the last month.

Scarey.  Never thought I'd say this, but we actually need a lot of snow and a cold winter to freeze over the lakes to restore the water levels.

[TheFishinPollock]

We lost 2 to 3 feet off our lake cause of no snow and that 2 months of virtualy no rain .

[Mike S.]

Isn't Elk or Torch connected to Lake Michigan?

[Waterfoul]

The Torch/Skeg/Elk lakes are connected to Lake Michigan... but there is a dam in Elk Rapids that helps regulate the level of the lakes.  While it helps, it doesn't keep the lakes at "full pool" if there is no rain/snow for a season like we had.  At our place on Glen lake, there is also a dam on the Crystal River and I'd say we are about 1' down or more compared last year.

I was on Pentwater Lake this weekend.  Lower than last year by a measureable amount.  Same thing for Pere Marquette Lake.  But, the smallies are biting!!!!

[TheFishinPollock]

Ya outa see  the chain in late october when my buddie opens the dam up and drops teh lake levels about 8 foot .  That entire area around the river mouth is completely impassable by boat.