Blast from the past. Mille Lac Lake

Here is a photo from the harbor of Fishers resort on Mille Lacs lake from 1976. From the stories I have heard about this over the years a storm front came through and the pressure sucked all the water from one side of the lake over to the other. Then it reversed. Heard it had went so far as pushing boat up over the major roads on each side of the lake. This is the 1st photo I have ever seen of this. Pretty cool to see.

Comments from Fishers Resort on the photo.

“It’s flashback Friday! This is what happened after a big storm in 1976. It’s called “The Seiche Effect”. All the water came rushing back in 15 minutes later and came over the docks. The guys were up to their waists in water trying to hold the boats away from the dock poles. Pretty wild! Have a great weekend!”

Great pic mike! Mother nature at her strangest

That has happened many times over the years to that extreme but in ’76, the lake levels were about 2 ft. or more lower than the norm–thus the scenario seen here.

I have 10 to 12 feet of beach in front of a 40 inch high seawall, three times last year during storms, the lake was pushed as much as 10 feet into my yard. I have seen it quite a few times over the years, the first was a little scary. I don’t think it is pressure that causes it, I think it is the wind piling the water up at one end of the lake and the when the wind subsidies the bowl effect takes over. Sometimes it takes a half a day for the lake to even out. If you pay attention to this, the current is strong and the fishing can be fantastic. Kinda like fishing the tides in the ocean.

Yep, seen it a few times myself. Water high enough in Isle bay to float boats off their boat lifts. Then have the water pull back and leave boats laying in muck. Freaky.

We get heavy current seams along the east side a few time a year. It can create some vry good fishing at times.

-J.

Pretty cool photo and story behind it! Between this scenario and what happened with the ice heaves, I’d say this lake certainly has its own eco system

that’s a great picture.

Great blast Mike. I was 14 years old that day and living on the south shore on Mazominie point. Boats were flying off the lifts and the water was crazy high. Good times for a young guy!

I was never aware of this weather related change! This is sweet but also super eye opening.

That fall, ’76, I think is the only time in the history of Mn. having a fishing season, that the season was closed the month of October and into early November. It was so dry in northern Mn. that fall, no outdoor recreation of any form was allowed starting October first–including fishing from a boat.

Back then, daytime fishermen flocked by the 100’s of boats to the northeast sand, from what is now known as Barnacles to Fishers, to fish walleyes–in less than 10 ft. water–the whole month of October–so big losses to some businesses took place that fall–with about 8 launches normally fishing in the mix–including the ones in the harbor pic at Fishers.

Big tankers were coming to Fishers harbor that fall to load water/help put out local swamp fires. An early snow cover allowed for the deer season to go on as planned and re-opened the fishing season.

Thinking about the only thing I might remember of that summer is the fires. Seem to remember a summer of a lot of peat bog fires up near Mcgregor.

I have personal experience with this phenomenon. This picture was taken about 25 months ago. Isle Bay.

All I remember of 76 was, well, I was 4 I don’t remember squat. But all the old timers talk about the drought of 76. Not even the weeds grew.

If this will play for you, notice the rocks near shore over a 45 minute period during a very strong East wind.

http://www.mnlakecams.com/jpgmovie/playMovie.php?x=800&y=600&url=/jpgmovie/movies/storm_5-22-10/jpgMovieFromDir.php%3Fn=2

What do you think Gary ? That went down 6-7″ in that time ??? Thats ALOTTA water

That’s a big rock, I’d think maybe 8-10″.

Brad’s neighbor, Tim Ajax, was on the flats that day and he said it was one of the worst East winds he’s seen.