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Kayakers need to be aware of safety hazards and considerations for Lake Superior prior to their trip. Lake Superior is well-known for its cold temperatures, fog, and sudden squalls that can generate waves that could easily swamp a kayak. This, along with scarce outer shore landing sites, adds to the potential danger. Play it safe by considering the following before your trip:
Emergencies : Know who to contact when things go wrong.
Safety Plan: Prepare for and communicate about your trip before arriving in the park.
Weather: Prepare for a variety of weather conditions on Lake Superior.
Safety Gear: Bring all the gear you need to have a safe trip.
Self-Rescue Skills: Knowledge of and ability to perform self and assisted rescues is essential.
Hypothermia: Prepare for Lake Superior’s cold-water temperatures.
Be prepared to self-rescue as emergency services on the island are limited.
NPS
Emergencies
Marine 16: Use Marine 16 to contact the U.S. Coast Guard or the Rock Harbor or Windigo Visitor Centers (when staffed).
Be advised that portable marine radios have a limited range, which is typically only a few miles.
Park Dispatch: Contact Park dispatch using a Personal Locator Beacon or Satellite Messenger.
Emergency Number: (440) 546-5945
Boater Assistance: Contact a boater at the nearest campground dock and ask that they broadcast a message through their marine radio for help.
A permit is required for all backpackers, boaters, and paddlers.
Katie Keller
Safety Plan
Leave a Float Plan: Communicate your float plan to a person who cares about you in case you are overdue. Include Park dispatch information, a description of your sea kayak, communication methods (i.e. marine radio), and trip details, like when you are supposed to arrive and depart the park, the transportation method you are taking, and your tentative itinerary.
Have a Conservative Trip Plan: A variety of factors may impact your trip while you are in the park. Planning conservatively ensures you are able to adapt to changing conditions.
Plan for the Least Experienced Person: Plan for a trip that accommodates the least experienced person in your party.
While Lake Superior protects Isle Royale, it also influences the island in virtually every way.
Paul Brown
Weather
Marine Forecast: Check the weather forecast before you embark upon your trip. Use a portable marine radio to check the weather throughout your trip.
Changing Conditions: Lake Superior can create unpredictable weather. Be prepared to adapt to changing conditions at a moment’s notice. Have an alternative trip plan ready.
Cold Temperatures: Lake Superior’s average surface water temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare for cold-water immersion. Know what to do if hypothermia occurs.
Weather Patterns: May and June tend to be foggy and cold. July often offers the calmest conditions on Lake Superior. August provides the warmest water temperatures. September marks the beginning of fall, resulting in greater wind and waves. Weather patterns can vary throughout the season, so be prepared for a variety of conditions.
Isle Royale National Park, an archipelago composed of over 400 islands, offers adventurous Lake Superior paddling opportunities for the experienced sea kayaker.
John Paul Jones
Safety Gear
Proper Boat: A sea kayak that is at least 15’ long, has sealed bulkheads fore and aft, has deck lines and bungies, and has a cockpit you can sit inside of. Recreational (including sit on top) kayaks should not be used on Lake Superior, including Rock Harbor Channel.
Safety Gear:
PFD (Personal Flotation Device): Required. When on the water, always have it on. It could save your life.
Sound-Producing Device: Required. A whistle or air-horn that is audible for at least half a mile for 4 to 6 seconds. This device should be attached to you.
Immersion Protection: Wear a dry suit or wet suit. Even in the middle of summer, Lake Superior water temperatures can be dangerous.
Spray Skirt: Prevents water from entering the cockpit of a sea kayak.
Bilge Pump: Used to remove water from inside a sea kayak.
Paddle Float: Used for self-rescue. A paddle float attaches to a kayak blade and helps create an outrigger to stabilize the boat and allow for re-entry.
Extra Paddle: In case you lose your paddle, it is good to have an extra on hand.
Tow Belt: For use when paddling in a group.
Marine Radio: Provides weather updates. Use to communicate in case of an emergency.
Rescue Techniques: Knowledge of self-rescue and assisted rescue techniques is essential. Practice your skills in varying water conditions prior to your trip.
Lake Superior has an average temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool water chills the air, keeping Isle Royale’s climate colder than surrounding mainlands.
NPS
Hypothermia
Immersion Protection: Wear a dry suit or wet suit. Even in the middle of summer, Lake Superior water temperatures can be dangerous.
Remember the 1-10-1 Rule: If you fall into Lake Superior, you have:
1 Minute: To orient yourself and float.
10 Minutes: Before the water starts to numb your extremities and make moving difficult.
1 Hour: Before the cold water kills you.
Treating Hypothermia: If you or someone shows signs of hypothermia (shivering, apathy, coordination loss), do the following:
Become warm and dry, add more layers, climb into a sleeping bag, and sip warm liquids.
