Here's where we'll keep you up-to-date on the latest mayfly happenings. Be sure to check back often.

We have added a link on the More info and links page to a great article on mayflies and how they're affecting Lake Erie. It's published online by the Great Lakes Echo.

It appears that mayfly season is about over, but if you looked real hard in Lakeside Ohio, you could still find a few hanging out on the pavilion by the water. It's always nice to find a few around.

Annette says "These little soldiers were all over the Venture Resort building on the side facing Lake Erie." This was on Kelley's Island. You can see Annette's photo on our 'Weekly Photos page.' Email your pics to photo@mayflynews.net

We were still hoping to see more pics from fans, or those that are not fans, of Mayflies!! The funny or goofier, the better. Email your pics to photo@mayflynews.net

For all those challenged by telling the difference between a mayfly and a mufflehead (no, not you, it's those other idiots), We have added info on identifying muffleheads on our 'Mayfly Facts' page. It's down towards the bottom of the page. Thanks to Gwen from Columbus for the great visual aids.

The mayflies have slacked off in the Port Clinton area. I'm sure we'll still see a few here and there for the next month or so. We could also get a burst of them some night with a hefty north wind.

Jerry says "Mayflies have invaded Avon Lake! They are everywhere along Lake Rd, Electric Rd. etc. Must have come in last night." Thanks for the update, Jerry!!

We are receiving reports that in the last few days walleye fishing has taken a nosedive due to all the mayflies surfacing. Many mayflies become a yummy fish snack instead of coming onshore to annoy you!! Also, Denise Kumar says no screaming when riding the coasters at Cedar Point or you may end up with a mouthful of mayflies!! Yum, Yum!!

It's Official!!!! Mayflies have invaded Port Clinton in a BIG WAY! The onslaught has begun. We're looking forward to seeing those photos, folks.

They're HERE!!!! Mayflies started appearing overnight in the Port Clinton, Ohio area. Not a strong showing yet - just a few. Kind-of-a teaser of what we know is probably coming.

Meanwhile, Tim and Debbie from Conneaut, Ohio (that's waaay up there in the northeast corner of Ohio in wonderful Ashtabula County) moved to within one quarter mile of Lake Erie and are finding out what a full bore onslaught of mayflies is like. They commented that it's much worse than being 3/4 miles away where they used to live.

Pam says "This is the best site! Does anyone know approximately when these pests will hit Port Clinton this year? Since they're already in Euclid, maybe we could judge better if the timing on their movement along the coast has been tracked. "

Hi Pam, it is a bit baffling that the Eastern part of Lake Erie is seeing mayflies before us. One would assume since we are at the shallower end of the lake, the water would warm up quicker here and we would see them first. This will be an interesting thing to track.

Jennifer, who owns a vacation condo on the Lake in Ashtabula says "The mayflies are here in full force. My Mom was here on Sunday, May 31 and said they were here then too. My question is how long do these mayflies typically stick around?"

Well, Jennifer, looking back on past information, they typically hang around at least into August and sometimes into September! Of course they do thin out as the summer progresses, so you have that to look forward to.

Mike from Euclid, Ohio emailed to say that "Over the past 2-4 days we've gotten bombarded." Thanks for the update, Mike. We still have yet to see one in Pt. Clinton.

Mike was looking for ways to keep mayflies from covering his house - especially the front door. All I can tell you, Mike, is keep those lights off. And remember, as tempting as it is to take the garden hose and wash them off, DON'T DO IT!! You will have the biggest stinkiest mess you ever saw!! Got a neighbor you don't like? Suggest it to him. :-)

Andrea writes... "I love this website.  Have the mayflies arrived?  We are coming to Port Clinton for the Memorial Day weekend and just want to prep the family beforehand."

Not as yet, Andrea, but that doesn't mean we won't see them before this weekend!! Thanks for emailing.

We are receiving reports that mayflies are already showing up in towns located along the Portage and Sandusky Rivers in Ohio. River waters warm up sooner than the bottom of the lake so this probably brings out the mayflies sooner.

After a long & cold Winter, we are experiencing a cool wet Spring. But warmer weather is coming and we should be experiencing mayflies within the next 30 days. Stay tuned!

Mayflies are regularly spotted 30+ miles from the Lake Erie shore. Now, they may not see more than four or five of them in an entire season, but they are around. They've even seen a few in late September!!

I spotted a small mayfly in Bowling Green, Ohio - actually he landed on me!! Bowling Green is a good hour drive from Lake Erie. Yes, I would say mayflies are in the rivers.

A strong northern wind off the lake and warmer temperatures combined to finally bring in huge amounts of mayflies on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, it was difficult walking in and out of the house without several catching a ride on your shirt. All the houses in the area are covered with our winged wonders! After a slow start with just a few showing up every night, they made a full showing on Friday evening.

Whoops...
On about June 1st, 2003, Port Clinton, Ohio was inundated with large swarms of bugs. The local daily newspaper jumped right on the story and had it front page - the mayflies have returned but are smaller this year. After all the locals quit laughing, they informed the paper that the bugs were indeed muffleheads and not the famed mayflies. Muffleheads are harmless bugs that are similar to mosquitos and just slightly larger - but they don't bite.

The National Geographic Magazine did an article on the mayflies of Hungary's Tisza River. See the May 2003 issue. The article has some superb photos. Their mayflies are somewhat different from ours having large bug eyes and blue wings.
Thanks goes to Suzanne Fickes at Ohio State University for sending me a copy of the magazine.

1999 saw these guys make headway inland as far as 40+ miles from Lake Erie. They were either blown in or are also living in the river. In the case of Pemberville, OH, I find it very hard to believe that june bugs flew that far inland. They are apparently thriving in rivers. Pemberville has the Portage River running through the heart of it - and Pemberville has Street Lights!

Minature May Flies!
On a 1999 excursion to South Bass Island and Put-In-Bay, Ohio, I discovered a tiny version of our friendly flyer on a gentleman's back ahead of us in line. This entire bug measured no more than three-quarters of an inch long - head, tail, and all! What a time to be without my camera! Hopefully, I will come across one again... this time with camera in hand.