A rescue mission and deep-water study aboard the mighty Blue Heron

Great Lakes Commission
A rescue mission and deep-water study aboard the mighty Blue Heron
A malfunctioning research buoy from the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve in Superior, Wisconsin, was rescued by the RV Blue Heron during a July trip shared by several area […]

2 Great Lakes right at warmest level in 30 years

Great Lakes Commission
2 Great Lakes right at warmest level in 30 years
Two of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron and Lake Ontario, are within a fraction of a degree of their warmest surface water temperature measured in the past 30 years. Read […]

Surfing in America’s heartland? You can catch waves even if you’re far from the ocean

Great Lakes Commission
Surfing in America’s heartland? You can catch waves even if you’re far from the ocean
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, has had a rich surf culture for more than half a century, and local tourism leaders eventually branded it “Malibu of the Midwest,” claiming the title of freshwater […]

Anchors aweigh: Why the historic Brig Niagara won’t be at Tall Ships Erie

Great Lakes Commission
Anchors aweigh: Why the historic Brig Niagara won’t be at Tall Ships Erie
For the first time in the history of Tall Ships Erie, the Brig Niagara won’t be leading the way into Presque Isle Bay in Erie, Pennsylvania. Read the full story […]

Interested in Little Lake Butte des Morts? Advocates are exploring ways to protect the lake

Great Lakes Commission
Interested in Little Lake Butte des Morts? Advocates are exploring ways to protect the lake
People interested in protecting and improving Little Lake Butte des Morts in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, intend to form a nonprofit lake association to help fund and implement projects benefiting the […]

Photographer David Zurick on the connection between people and place

Great Lakes Commission
Photographer David Zurick on the connection between people and place
A new photo collection entitled The Third Coast: America’s Great Lakes Shoreline explores the locations, culture, and history that define the Great Lakes region—from the tulips of Holland to Sleeping Bear […]

More than a dozen Michigan beaches have high bacteria counts. See the list

Great Lakes Commission
More than a dozen Michigan beaches have high bacteria counts. See the list
More than a dozen Michigan beaches are under bacteria advisories — or are closed — as Michiganders head into the third week of August. Read the full story by Detroit Free Press.

Are there jellyfish in Lake Erie? Rare non-native freshwater species spotted. Here’s where

Great Lakes Commission
Are there jellyfish in Lake Erie? Rare non-native freshwater species spotted. Here’s where
Freshwater jellyfish roughly the size of a penny have recently been spotted in western and eastern Lake Erie. Most of the time, they’re stuck to the bottom of the lake […]

15 Michigan beaches closed, under advisories as drier weather begins

Great Lakes Commission
15 Michigan beaches closed, under advisories as drier weather begins
Potential beach days are popping up across Michigan as drier and cooler weather approaches the state. However, 15 swimming spots are closed or under contamination advisories for water quality that’s […]

Oldest-ever Great Lakes lake trout recorded in Lake Superior

Great Lakes Commission
Oldest-ever Great Lakes lake trout recorded in Lake Superior
A 62-year-old lake trout named Mary Catherine was found in 2023 on the reefs of a remote island in the middle of Lake Superior. While lake trout can live for […]

As summer wanes, Michigan’s Great Lakes offer a quick escape. Where the water is warmest

Great Lakes Commission
As summer wanes, Michigan’s Great Lakes offer a quick escape. Where the water is warmest
Hoping to plan a last-minute trip before the kids go back to school? Michigan’s Great Lakes offer a great opportunity to cool off and could be a quick trip, depending […]

Great Lakes Story Walk now through Aug. 22

Great Lakes Commission
Great Lakes Story Walk now through Aug. 22
The Alpena County Library and the Friends of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary have installed a Story Walk along the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail in Alpena, Michigan, for […]