Biological Indicators of Watershed Health: HEX HATCH 2010

As the rain comes down the Mayflies (Hexagenia) are hatching! Flying in large numbers just above the water causing fish to jump and the swallows to dive!

Last year it happened June 10th, with our 1st Vice President blogging it here and her neighbor reporting it as the largest hatch he had seen in his 75 years on the lake.

She wrote:
“One of the best indicators of the health of a lake are the bugs that call it home. Last night there was a significant Hex hatch (Hexagenia a.k.a. Mayfly) and this morning I counted over 120 that were resting on the screens and doors of my house. According to my neighbor Harry, this is the largest hatch he has seen during his 75 years on the lake. These Mayflies are a great indicator that our lake is healthy.

Mayflies are loved by Trout as well as the local Robin who has been plucking them off the deck.”


Click in the title for a link to the EPA Bioindicators information.