Lake Erie MayFlies!! Questions from a newbie on lake Erie

andy k

andy k

Active Member
Feb 7, 2009
505
Lake Erie
Boat Info
40.3
Engines
Yanmar
This is our fist year on Lake Erie and the Mayflies are Nasty. It is hard to go and enjoy the boat when you and the boat are covered so heavily is Flies.

1) Typically is there a strong bloom and then it becomes less dense for the summer or does it stay strong through summer?

2) Are they better or worse in certain parts of the lake.

We are wanting to head over to PIB and a few of the other islands over the 4th weekend, however we are hesitating due what it has been like the last 2 weeks.
 
It should be a cycle, not constant, at least it's not over here on this side of the lake.

I use this to deal with flies now. Quite enjoyable...
upload_2022-6-27_15-16-26.png
 
It is a cycle and will fade in the coming days/weeks. We have been experiencing more on shore this year as a result of the northerly winds pushing them toward the mainland. Keep in mind that they are a sign of a healthy lake.
 
They should be gone by the end of next week. I have never seen them east of Erie PA. Several years ago we were in PIB about this time of year and they were reconstructing the municipal marina. They had the whole marina area and half the street closed off with construction barricade so they couldn’t get in there with the street sweepers to clean them up and the place smelled like dead fish and road kill. Swore then we would never go back until after July 4th.
 
Where are you?….. it’s all about wind and water temp. We are on Catawba and no problem….. we have been on PIB and no problem. It’s just hit and miss they should be mostly gone next weekend.

stay away from overhead lights and keep the interior cockpit boat lights off
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,120
Messages
1,426,612
Members
61,037
Latest member
wojozobl
Back
Top