Fall comes to an end

Autumn Comes

Warm Water

 

In the lake yesterday, we noticed the warm temperatures were quite nice, but not yet to that point of being too warm.  I suspect the larger walleye are heading out and the smaller pan fish are in a safer position.  Minnows seemed plentiful reflecting the spawn earlier this Spring.  Lake levels remain high, but not at the top as rain continues to move us out of the drought category.  One might find a mosquito out during the day, but this is still very connected to mosquitos finding you favorable than them being a pest.  If they like you you might find a few.  If they are not into you they might not be around.  The tiny gnat types are plentiful as the powder pile around and light on at night will show.  The ants seem to benefit from this in their way.  Turtle egg laying season seems over, but the foxes and friends again seem the full ones.

Animal Fest

The loons one the lake seem to have had two young ones this year.  We missed the riding on the back stage, but they slowly swim around the lake each day.

Two swans seem to have a young one too.  They tend to come then go on the lake, so hoping they stay.

Turtles are on the egg laying move of lake.  Some have been seen on the road, but things seem to be going well.

Goose action has been noted.  One group jumped in the  lake as the dog walked by.  One spot of evidence was left on the dock.

Fishing seems to have lightened up.  The number of boats has begun its seasonal decline.

The lake is a nice temperature and when you go it it is hardly noticed.  Water levels remain high.

Ice Out

 

Let us record April 12, 2015 as ice out on Mud Lake.  The ice went very quietly over night.  The ice was very dark at sundown last night.  Unfortunately we heard none of the whale like sounds the ice normally makes when going.  There is some chance it went as late as 8:30 this morning.

Spring?

 

While the lake is near fully iced over, some water is forming around the edges.  Two people were out ice fishing Sunday, indicating the ice is thick enough to walk on.  We do wonder how wet their boots got getting off the edge of the lake.  The snow is basically gone around the lake.  Today’s rain seems to have already taken care of what was left.  There, by the way, has been no moaning noise of the ice going out yet.

The grill had its first use this weekend.  Some wonder Johnsonville brats reopened the grilling season.

Maybe Spring?

 

What will probably turn out to be a false Spring seems posed to begin.  The temperatures will again go into the 40s above this weekend.  The longer range forecast keeps it going that way.  The limited snow should go away quickly.  Given the still freezing temperatures over night, the water should stay and take a chance at going to groundwater.