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Has there ever been a shark in the Detroit River?

Yes, that's a bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) … and yes, that's the Detroit River. The photo was taken on July 21, 2006, by area resident Richard Kik IV (aka “Brooklamprey”) and posted to the forum of the North American Native Fishes Association.



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While bull sharks have evolved to live in freshwater, the reality is that there are no verified reports of sharks in the Great Lakes. While there have been past “sightings,” most have turned out to be pranks or misidentifications.

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Two Coho fishermen pulled a 29-inch shark from Lake Michigan about two miles off the Milwaukee shore on April 25, 1969. The shark was dead, but for several days fishermen in the area were uneasy.

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2,485 miles/ 4,000 km up The Amazon River. Bull sharks have even been seen 2,485 miles/ 4,000 km away from the ocean up the Amazon river. Bull sharks have been known to travel all the way from the Brazilian coast up river to Iquitos in Peru and into northern Bolivia.

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Lake Michigan is generally clean and safe for swimming but it can become contaminated with harmful bacteria.

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Lake Nicaragua is the only freshwater lake containing oceanic animal life, including sharks, swordfish, and tarpon. More than 40 rivers drain into the lake, the largest being the Tipitapa River.

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No shark reports have been scientifically documented in the lake. The Illinois River has seen at least one documented case. Dams now keep any wandering sharks from entering the river.

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