Surfing Lake Michigan: Where, When and What to Wear

Yes, you can surf Lake Michigan. When a fall storm blows down the lake, places like Sheboygan, Chicago and Grand Haven get real, rideable waves, and a small, dedicated crew is out in hoods and mitts to catch them. This guide covers when the lake gets waves, where to go, what to wear month by month and how to stay safe.

Jump to: When it breaks · Where to surf · Water temperature by month · Boards · Safety

When does Lake Michigan get waves?

Lake Michigan waves are wind swell. There's no ocean groundswell here, so you need strong wind blowing a long way across open water. A good rule of thumb is 15+ knots blowing steadily for several hours. The waves are short-period (often 4 to 7 seconds) and they fade fast once the wind drops, so timing is everything.

• North winds blow down the length of the lake and send swell to the southern end: Chicago, Evanston, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan.
• South winds push waves toward the northern half of the lake.
• East and west winds don't build much swell on their own, but a light offshore breeze cleans up the waves. On the Wisconsin and Illinois side, offshore is west. On the Michigan side, it's east.

Best season: fall through spring. September to December is the sweet spot, with the most storms and water that's still bearable. Winter brings big storms and empty lineups. Summer is mostly flat, with the odd thunderstorm window.

Where to surf Lake Michigan

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Sheboygan calls itself the "Malibu of the Midwest," and it's the best-known wave on the lake. The main break sits next to a steel pier, with lefts and rights (the rights are usually better). It likes a south to southeast swell with a west-southwest offshore wind. Locals will tell you it only really turns on a handful of times a year, but when it does, it's worth the drive. Watch for rocks, and stay off the pier on a northeast swell.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago surfers wait for strong north and northeast winds. Surfing is allowed only at designated beaches. In recent years, Montrose and 57th Street have been the summer surf beaches, with Osterman and Rainbow added in the off-season. Rules change, so check the Chicago Park District before you paddle out.

Evanston, Illinois

Just north of the city, the jetty at Dempster Street blocks a strong north wind and can create a left that peels off the rocks. It's a go-to for North Shore surfers.

Whiting, Indiana

On a big north wind, northwest Indiana often has bigger waves than Chicago. It's an industrial stretch of shoreline, so check water quality before you go.

Grand Haven, Michigan

Grand Haven's pier breaks the wind on both sides, so there's often a rideable wave somewhere around it. It's best with a west swell and an east offshore wind. Like Sheboygan, it's a beach and pier break with rocks to watch out for.

The rest of the Michigan coast

Muskegon, Holland, South Haven and Ludington all have piers and jetties that shape the waves when the wind lines up. Most good Lake Michigan spots sit next to a pier or breakwall, so learn where the currents run before you paddle out.

Lake Michigan water temperature by month (and what to wear)

These are average surface temperatures for Chicago. The water can be much colder after a strong offshore wind causes upwelling, even in summer.

Hooded suits (5/4 and up) go with 5–7 mm boots and gloves or mitts. Below about 45°F, go for 7 mm boots and mitts.

The peak surf months (October to April) mean a hooded 5/4 or warmer, plus boots and gloves. If you can only buy one suit for Lake Michigan, buy the warm one. More tips in our cold water wetsuit guide.

What board should you ride on Lake Michigan?

Fresh water is less buoyant than salt water, and lake waves are often soft and crumbly. Most Lake Michigan surfers ride more volume than they would in the ocean: fish, mid-lengths and longboards. If you're just starting out, ride a soft-top. Read choosing your first hardboard and 4 types of surfboards to add to your quiver.

Staying safe

• Currents: rip currents and currents along piers are the biggest danger on Lake Michigan. Never paddle out near a pier until you know how the water moves there.
• Cold: keep winter sessions short, and have warm layers and a hot drink waiting.
• Never surf alone, especially in winter, and tell someone where you're going.
• Water quality: bacteria levels can spike after heavy rain. Check local beach reports.

More in coldwater surfing: how to stay out of trouble and our Great Lakes Surfing FAQ.

Rep the lake

Our Lake Michigan collection is made for the people who check the wind forecast before the weather. A few favourites:

• Sheboygan Star T-shirt
• Grand Haven T-shirt
• Lake Michigan Different Water Hoodie

Water temperatures are 10-year monthly averages for Chicago from seatemperature.info.