I've had dives off of Chicago where the water temps (above the thermocline) were in the upper 70's! Not many, but it does happen late in the summer if the sun is shining and the wind is just right. You guys diving Door County year 'round have got to have some hair on your cojones - if for no other reason than you need the insulation!
A couple of years ago the zebra's seemed worse at the southern end of the lake, maybe due to the overall shallower depths and warmer water. Last year the zebra population seemed to start to crash, however. They're still everywhere, but the layers of living ones are thinner and the deposits of dead shells are definitely growing rapidly. Kevlar is still a good idea for kneepads and gloves, however.
We're starting to see algae and (gasp) seaweed growing in our end of the lake, thanks probably to the sunlight being able to penetrate the clearer water. The goby populations are also dwindling quickly (smaller specimens and fewer) and the burbots are returning to the undersides of many of the wrecks. A little more weed cover and even the perch may start to make a comeback. Too bad there's nothing native left, but overall ecosystem seems to be getting livelier. At least the vis is better than ever!
Ten years ago, who'd a thunk it would be possible?
Steven
