Reproduction

[cylinder]

I noticed on a lake today that there was a little open water where current opens it up first. usually that happens on this lake at least 3 weeks earlier than now.

I didn't see any loons - usually they show up a day or two after a bigger area opens (probably will happen within a day or two with the weather we're having). I'm wondering - the loons have been ready to nest and lay eggs for a while; do they just wait, or do they find a lake further south that is open?

How about the other birds? songbirds? I haven't seen any yet in this same area and they are usually nesting by now. Same thing, do they wait or do they find other options?

Fish too. Is the DNR stripping eggs yet? Does that also get delayed or is the spawning season messed up?

[Nick Kuhn]

The weather definitely messes with those things. It delays spawning but it isn't necessarily all that bad for the fish. Probably will be a very weak year class for some fish and strong for others. One year isn't going to affect animal populations all that much.