Loon Pontoon

[Wayne Ek]

Ice on Lobster went out on Sat. and on Sun. the first pair of loons appeared. Put the loon pontoon out on Sun. afternoon and it took them only 35 minutes to find it and one to climb upon to it. Last year the pair using it raised two young one's. Both survived, as we watched them mature all year. Once the adults left in late summer the young dispursed out into the main lake. Is anyone else using the loon pontoons to establish nesting sights?

[Ufatz]

I have been thinking about putting something out for the loons. What did you use? Dimensions etc. It may be too late, the loons are already out there laughing-have been for a week. Thanks.

[Wayne Ek]

I used 8" PVC pipe. Made a square about 4'x4' then added to additional 8" straight pipes to two of the sides for additonal flotation. I covered screwed some treated 1"x1" on the top and used some as cross members. Then put screen on it so the chicks could not fall thru (that would be a death trap) and covered the screen with landscape mess. Tossed mud and cattails on it and called it a day. Its held up for 3 seasons so far.

[Minnsport]

Do you anchor the pontoon and in what depth of water?

[Wayne Ek]

Sorry it took so long to get back, tournament fishng. Ours is sitting in 2 to 3 feet of water on a pencil-reed point in the bay we live on. I use to cement blocks on opposite corners to anchor the pontoon. They are nesting on it now have been for the past 7 days.

[Tom Wilson]

Thats awesome Wayne. You really should take us a few pictures of it, and it's new inhabitants.

Tom W