NBM Dive Site Resource
Colonel Ellsworth
Mackinaw City, Michigan, United States
Colonel Ellsworth is a shipwreck lost in 1896 and listed by the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve.
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Aquatic life at this dive site
What divers may encounter
Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.
Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycushColonel Ellsworth lies in 70 to 85 feet in the Straits of Mackinac preserve. Michigan DNR reports stable adult lake trout and strong natural reproduction in northern Lake Huron, making a passing cold-water encounter plausible.
Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceOpen Aquatic Life Profile →
Lake Whitefish
Coregonus clupeaformisMichigan DNR tracks lake whitefish movement and habitat use in Lake Huron. Divers may see one crossing the wreck or adjacent bottom when seasonal movement and temperature align.
Seb951Open Aquatic Life Profile →
Burbot
Lota lotaNOAA notes that burbot often appear at deeper Lake Huron shipwrecks. Look close to shaded lower structure and the bottom without disturbing the site.
USFWS Mountain-PrairieOpen Aquatic Life Profile →
Site media
Photographs
Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.Published reference location
Location map
The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Recent field observations
Diver-reported temperatures
Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.
Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.
Seasonal planning reference
Typical monthly conditions
Long-term averages, not a forecast. Actual air and water conditions can change quickly and may vary across the site.Moderate-confidence match — Matched by documented Great Lakes port/area. Air and surface-water values are regional planning averages. No bottom-water line is published because a comparable depth-specific record has not yet been verified.
| Month | Average air | Surface water | Bottom water | Bottom measurement depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16.2°F / -8.8°C | 39.4°F / 4.1°C | No reliable record | — |
| Feb | 17.8°F / -7.9°C | 36.3°F / 2.4°C | No reliable record | — |
| Mar | 26.7°F / -2.9°C | 36.9°F / 2.7°C | No reliable record | — |
| Apr | 39.4°F / 4.1°C | 38.2°F / 3.4°C | No reliable record | — |
| May | 52.1°F / 11.2°C | 39.1°F / 3.9°C | No reliable record | — |
| Jun | 61.1°F / 16.2°C | 48.4°F / 9.1°C | No reliable record | — |
| Jul | 66.0°F / 18.9°C | 63.7°F / 17.6°C | No reliable record | — |
| Aug | 65.6°F / 18.7°C | 68.9°F / 20.5°C | No reliable record | — |
| Sep | 58.4°F / 14.7°C | 64.5°F / 18.1°C | No reliable record | — |
| Oct | 46.3°F / 7.9°C | 56.4°F / 13.6°C | No reliable record | — |
| Nov | 34.8°F / 1.6°C | 48.7°F / 9.3°C | No reliable record | — |
| Dec | 23.8°F / -4.6°C | 44.0°F / 6.7°C | No reliable record | — |
NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — Sault Ste. Marie, MI
1991–2020 climate normalsReview source ↗NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide — North Michigan
Historical monthly station averagesReview source ↗Bottom temperature is never inferred from surface temperature. A blank month means no reliable depth-specific average is available. Data reviewed 2026-08-26.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
Officially documented Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve shipwreck.
Shipwreck-only module
The wreck
This section appears only on shipwreck records and brings the vessel, its loss, present condition, access, and responsible wreck-diving considerations into one place.
Plan the trip
Dive boats that visit this wreck
Regional context
Located within
Before you arrive
Access notes
Confirm current mooring, charter availability, weather, current and preserve guidance before departure. Published coordinates are reference points and are not a substitute for navigation.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Cold water, boat traffic, current, changing visibility, entanglement and overhead hazards around wreck structure. Depth and conditions vary by site.
Independent resource notice
This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.