5 Reasons Why The Great Lakes Are So Great | HowStuffWorks

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The Great Lakes were born when glaciers receded from this part of the world at the end of the last ice age. As the icy bulldozers went northward, they carved out deep troughs in the earth that later filled with water. Paleontologists think the Great Lakes' native fish species migrated into the area from drainages like the Hudson Bay and the Upper Mississippi River.

Of these indigenous fish, none can match the lake sturgeon in size. Adult sturgeon can be more than 7 feet (2.13 meters) long and weigh 240 pounds (108 kilograms). Other well-known species include the muskellunge, rock bass and northern pike.

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But not all the fish are locals. Several game species like Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout were deliberately introduced. Other exotic fish, such as the sea lampreys, just snuck in. Either way, some of these newcomers are killing or out-competing the native species — which is a huge problem.

The Largest Freshwater Lake by Surface Area

Lake Superior holds the title of the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. Spanning an impressive 31,700 square miles (82,100 square kilometers), it holds a volume of water so vast that it could submerge both North and South America under one foot of water. As a major reservoir of surface freshwater, Lake Superior is a critical habitat for wildlife, a cornerstone for regional economies, and a cultural icon in North American history.

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