Changes

==History==

==History==

The first [[Europe|Europeans]] to see Lake Michigan were [[France|French]] traders and explorers in the 1600's. One of which, [[Samuel de Champlain]] (1567?-1635), who mapped much of northeastern [[North America]], called Lake Michigan the Grand Lac. It was later named "Lake of the Stinking Water" or "Lake of the Puants," after the people who occupied its shores.

The first [[Europe]]ans to see Lake Michigan were [[France|French]] traders and explorers in the 1600's. One of which, [[Samuel de Champlain]] (1567?-1635), who mapped much of northeastern [[North America]], called Lake Michigan the Grand Lac. It was later named "Lake of the Stinking Water" or "Lake of the Puants," after the people who occupied its shores.

In 1679, the lake became known as Lac des Illinois because it gave access to the country of the [[Indian|Indians]], so named. Three years before, [[Claude-Jean Allouez]] (1622-1689), a French [[Jesuit]] [[missionary]], called it Lac St. Joseph, by which name it was often designated by early writers while others called it Lac Dauphin.

In 1679, the lake became known as Lac des Illinois because it gave access to the country of the [[Indian]]s, so named. Three years before, [[Claude-Jean Allouez]] (1622-1689), a French [[Jesuit]] [[missionary]], called it Lac St. Joseph, by which name it was often designated by early writers while others called it Lac Dauphin.

Another story recounts that Jean Nicolet, the first European to set foot in [[Wisconsin]] in 1634, landed on the shores of [[Green Bay]] and was greeted by [[Winnebago]] Indians, whom the French called "Puans." Lake Michigan was labeled as "Lake of Puans" on an early and incomplete 1670 map of the region that showed only the northern shores of the lake. However, only Green Bay is labeled as "Baye de Puans" (Bay of the Winnebago Indians) on maps from 1688 and 1708. On the 1688 map, Lake Michigan is called Lac des Illinois.

Another story recounts that Jean Nicolet, the first European to set foot in [[Wisconsin]] in 1634, landed on the shores of [[Green Bay]] and was greeted by [[Winnebago]] Indians, whom the French called "Puans." Lake Michigan was labeled as "Lake of Puans" on an early and incomplete 1670 map of the region that showed only the northern shores of the lake. However, only Green Bay is labeled as "Baye de Puans" (Bay of the Winnebago Indians) on maps from 1688 and 1708. On the 1688 map, Lake Michigan is called Lac des Illinois.

Lake Michigan is the the sixth largest lake in the world.

Lake Michigan is the the sixth largest lake in the world.

Lake Michigan is the third largest of the [[Great Lakes]] and is the only one of the lakes which is contained entirely inside U.S. borders -- making Lake Michigan the largest body of [[fresh water]] in the [[United States]].  

Lake Michigan is the third largest of the [[Great Lakes]] and is the only one of the lakes which is contained entirely inside U.S. borders—making Lake Michigan the largest body of [[fresh water]] in the [[United States]].  

Lake Michigan is approximately 300 miles long and averages 75 miles across, covering 22,300 square miles -- which is equal to the combined areas of the states of [[Maryland]], [[Massachusetts]] and [[Delaware]]. It is 335 feet above [[Lake Ontario]] and 577 feet above sea level. The deepest point in the lake is 925 feet.

Lake Michigan is approximately 300 miles long and averages 75 miles across, covering 22,300 square miles—which is equal to the combined areas of the states of [[Maryland]], [[Massachusetts]] and [[Delaware]]. It is 335 feet above [[Lake Ontario]] and 577 feet above sea level. The deepest point in the lake is 925 feet.

Lake Michigan boasts excellent [[salmon]] and [[trout]] fishing. Species include [[Chinook]], [[Coho]], and [[Atlantic Salmon]], and [[Rainbow Trout|Rainbow]], [[Brown Trout|Brown]], and [[Lake Trout]].

Lake Michigan boasts excellent [[salmon]] and [[trout]] fishing. Species include [[Chinook]], [[Coho]], and [[Atlantic Salmon]], and [[Rainbow Trout|Rainbow]], [[Brown Trout|Brown]], and [[Lake Trout]].

Lake Michigan is joined to [[Lake Huron]] at the [[Straits of Mackinac]], they are considered one lake [[hydrology|hydrologically]].

Lake Michigan is joined to [[Lake Huron]] at the [[Straits of Mackinac]], they are considered one lake [[hydrology|hydrologically]].

Many [[river|rivers]] and streams flow into Lake Michigan, and the major [[tributary|tributaries]] are the [[Fox-Wolf]], the [[Grand]] and the [[Kalamazoo]].

Many [[river]]s and streams flow into Lake Michigan, and the major [[tributary|tributaries]] are the [[Fox-Wolf]], the [[Grand]] and the [[Kalamazoo]].

There is a diversion from the lake into the [[Mississippi River]] [[basin]] through the [[Illinois Waterway]] at the [[Chicago River]].

There is a diversion from the lake into the [[Mississippi River]] [[basin]] through the [[Illinois Waterway]] at the [[Chicago River]].

Internal waves (upwellings) can produce a 59-degree F. water [[temperature]] decrease along the coast in only a few hours, requiring drastic alterations in fishing strategy.

Internal waves (upwellings) can produce a 59-degree F. water [[temperature]] decrease along the coast in only a few hours, requiring drastic alterations in fishing strategy.

The northern part of the Lake Michigan watershed is covered with [[forest|forests]], sparsely populated, and economically dependent on natural resources and [[tourism]], while the southern portion is heavily populated with intensive industrial development and rich agricultural areas along the shore.

The northern part of the Lake Michigan watershed is covered with [[forest]]s, sparsely populated, and economically dependent on natural resources and [[tourism]], while the southern portion is heavily populated with intensive industrial development and rich agricultural areas along the shore.

The world's largest freshwater dunes line the lakeshore and are visited by millions of people annually who enjoy the numerous state and [[national parks]] as well as local beaches.

The world's largest freshwater dunes line the lakeshore and are visited by millions of people annually who enjoy the numerous state and [[national parks]] as well as local beaches.