whale sightings
Each year we report the movements of the whales on Lake Superior. The reports are sightings sent by residents and visitors along the North Shore of Lake Superior. If you spot whale activity, let us know by filling out the form on the right! We accept photos, too! Confused? see the right hand column [desktop] bottom of page [mobile].
Check out this whale action from April 2023, then explore all the North Shore Activities
Activities
Holy cow! A new sighting in Lake Superior!
At Grand Marais Harbor, April 1 😉
Are there really whales in Lake Superior
July 28, 2015
Narwahl
While I was disappointed that I didn’t see any humpback whales, I did spot a fine looking Narwhal. Wouldn’t have believed it unless I saw it with my own two eyes.
– Sam
LSWWS comments: Sam, you are lucky! Not many narwahl sightings and fewer photos. Thanks for sharing!
July 5, 2015
Whale sighting North Shore
We were walking down the rock beach in Little Marais and it was evening and we saw a whale breach the water but didn’t have our phones on us to take a picture ! It was beautiful ! And then we saw a baby it was so cool !
– Matt
LSWWS comments: We appreciate the report, with or without photos.
June 8, 2015
A pod playing in a laker’s wake
We brought our whale pointing lab Pauly with us this spring. He spotted a pod playing in the wake of a laker at the Silver Cliff Tunnel wayside. Of course with our luck and the fog and haze they didn’t show up in the picture.
Jeff , Sue and Pauly, the whale spotting lab
La Crosse, WI
May 11, 2015
1970s Sighting
“Reminiscing about past Mother’s Day and found this photo from a drive we took up the shore Mother’s Day 1972. Going to have come back up and look for whales.”
Linda
LSWWS comments: Wow!
April 29, 2015
Whale Tagging on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior
At the prime State Park on the North Shore to view fresh water whales; partaking in the State of Minnesota’s whale stocking program in Lake Superior.
– Richard B & Gary H
LSWWS comments: Outstanding in every way!
April 3, 2015
Brighton Beach near Duluth
I thought you and the viewers of your fantastic website may find this photo interesting. I am guessing since the whales moved into Lake Superior a number of years ago it was only time before the bears followed.
Best wishes,
Mike
LSWWS comments: Compliment me and I’ll post anything.
February 11, 2015
2 Cents Worth
“This sight is faker than a 3 dollar bill don’t trust it!”
Austin E, Wayne, IN
LSWWS comments: Austin and other skeptics should read the articles under the box titled “Confused?”
September 30, 2014
Lake Superior Bay Ontario
Caught a glimpse of this one in an Ontario bay last fall
Max S, Houghton, MI
LSWWS comments: What a beauty!
September 14, 2014
We Saw Them!
A colleague took this shot on the Manitou Island ferry this weekend, heading back from North Manitou. My adviser thinks it was a female Megaptera boreas!
Laura Fischer
Forestry Wildlife and Fisheries
Michigan State University
LSWWS comments: Megaptera boreas is a Humpback whale
August 7, 2014
Andy Saw Them!
Andy found a whale today in MN when we were paddle-boarding so I thought I would share these fun photos. Enjoy! Andy claims he saw a whale in Lake Owwaso today. I would call him an official Fresh Water Whale Watcher.
Chrissy, Minneapolis MN
LSWWS comments: I love to see our members in the field in their LSWWS gear!
July 4, 2014
Eastern edge of Lake Superior
It’s too damn cold. I bet the whales are all stacked by the Soo trying to stay warm. Water temps are still 38-42
Dale H
LSWWS comments: Dale is referring to the locks at Sault Ste Marie separating Michigan and Ontario
June 27, 2014
Splash!
Pretty sure this was a whale. Was by Judge Magney State Park.
anonymous
LSWWS comments: Pretty sure you’re right!
June 23, 2014
Split Rock Lighthouse Whale Sighting
While taking the typical tourist photos at split rock lighthouse wayside, my grandson saw two surface. Of course by the time I got the camera turned and zoomed out onto the lake they were long gone.
Jeff and Sue, La Crosse, WI, featuring super spotter Dameon
LSWWS comments: You are a bona fide spotter Dameon!
June 21, 2014
Big Bay, Big Whale
We thought we saw something in the water, joked it was a whale . . . and then it was! We think it was by itself. It barely broke the surface, but we did get this shot.
Anderson Clan
LSWWS comments: Nice! (note: Big Bay is northeast of Grand Marais)
Activities
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