Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and the only one located entirely within the United States. The second largest of the Great Lakes by volume The third largest of the Great Lakes by surface area (behind Lake Superior and Lake Huron), it is bounded, from west to east, by the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The word "Michigan" was originally used to refer to the lake itself, and is believed to come from the Ojibwa Indian word mishigami, meaning "great water". Lake Michigan offers some of the best chances to catch steelhead, coho and chinook salmon, perch, rainbow, lake and brown trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and the occasional walleye. Lake Michigan jet ski rental companies abound up the Michigan coast, and give vacationers a great way to have fun on the open waters. Families, tourists, and locals alike flock to the Lake Michigan beaches in the summer for their white, crystal sand, picturesque dunes and charming beachtowns.

Twelve million people live along Lake Michigan's shores. Many small cities in Northern Michigan and Door County, Wisconsin are centered on a tourist base that takes advantage of the beauty and recreational opportunities offered by Lake Michigan. These cities have large seasonal populations that arrive from nearby urban areas such as the Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit areas, as well as from southern states, such as Florida and Texas. Some seasonal residents have summer homes along the lake shore, and return home for the winter. The southern tip of the lake is heavily industrialized.

Lake Michigan is home to a variety of species of fish and other organisms. It was originally home to lake trout, yellow perch, panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, carp, bowfin, as well as some species of catfish. In recent years overfishing has caused a decline in lake trout, ultimately causing an increase in the alewife population. As a result, coho and chinook salmon were introduced as a predator of alewives to decrease the alewife population. This program was so successful that the salmon population exploded, and the states surrounding Lake Michigan promoted Salmon Snagging. This practice has since been made illegal in all of the great lakes states with the exception of a limited season in Illinois. Lake Michigan is now being stocked with several species of fish. However, several invader species introduced, such as lampreys and mussels, threaten the vitality of fish populations.

If fishing just isn't your thing, don't worry, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy Lake Michigan. Swimming is obviously one of them, but you should try a Lake Michigan jet ski rental company for the joy of cruising in freedom.Out on Lake Michigan, you feel like you're out on the ocean, and you might try stopping along the beach for a picnic, or to climb some sand dunes. Either way, your Lake Michigan jet ski rental instructor will teach you all you need to know, and they take care of the wetsuits, life jackets and fuel. You just focus on having fun.