Oshkosh, WI--Although lake flies are nuisances for some they play a key role in the ecosystem here at Lake Winnebago.
Millions upon, millions of lake flies surrounding Lake Winnebago but besdies pestering people who walk or live along the shoreline lake flies are important for the health of the lake and the area around it. "they form a very important food supply for the birds around here as the larvae where they are much longer, and you do not see them, they are forming an important part of a diet for the fish in the lake” says Robert Mitchell, Biology Professor UWGB.
"Lake fly larvae are the staple food source for lake sturgeon within the Lake Winnebago system" says Ryan Koenigs, Fish Biologist DNR.
.UWGB Biology Professor Robert Mitchell says when the water warms up in the spring it allows the flies to emerge from the lake.
From there they hide in the grass to stay cool during the day and mate with one another around dusk. The life span of the lake flies ranges from 1 to 3 weeks.
There are two main hatches, one that happens during the spring and another during the summer. This crop of lake flies hatched on Mother's Day so they'll be around for a little while longer
