Mayfly Nymphs

Wondering if there is anyone out there that can offer up any information on lakes in northern MN regarding the hatch of mayfly eggs. Looking to do some perch fishing. I have heard a lot about big perch in lake basins feeding on the mayfly nymphs. Wanting to know when these little guys hatch and also if they hatch all over in a particular lake or if it occurs only on certain bottom types(sand, mud, etc.) Also if there is any resources available for this information.

They will be in Mud Flats if they are in the lake. Normally they are more prevalent in Rivers. When they come out of the water is usually in late May/June thus the name. Although there are many variations that do hatch at different times. The hatch is normally spread over a several day period where it is at it’s peak.

http://www.wiflyfisher.com/wisconsin-fly-hatches.asp

It’s pretty common for mayflies to have a 1-year life cycle although some can be multi brood. I would think the ones more important to lake ice fishing would be the family of mayflies referred to “burrowers”. These mayflies tend to emerge and lay eggs during the summer months of June and July. Adult mayflies only live a day or two so they spend almost their entire lifespan as a nymph. By their name the nymphs tend to burrow in softer silts. In the fly fishing world these adult mayflies are often referred to as “drakes”. The Hex is the most well known but there are several others. If you come across fly fishing hatch charts keep in mind they are super generic and likely will not cover mayflies living in a specific lake.

I should add to check out Troutnut.com. There should be enough mayfly information here to make your head spin.

I would think the Ephemeridae mayflies would be of most interest to lake perch fishing.

The lakes I am looking at fishing have a tremendous mayfly hatch generally in early june each year. I believe they are there however the one lake in particular is a very sandy lake, however with a camera I have determined that down at about 30 feet the bottom content doesn’t seem muddy rather a much more of a silty sand. I think its possible I may be on the right track. Thanks much for the insight.

I assume you are referring to wigglers? The most prevalent mayfly nymph in deep water mud is the brown drake mayfly nymph. A dynamite perch bait used on dead stick for deeper basin perch. Many bait shops carry them in winter for perch or trout! They are awesome bait used on a light wire hook.

Since you have a camera, check for burrow holes. Will look similar to night crawler holes in a lawn after a rain storm.

The muddy has to be of a specific consistency and organic matter content. Too hard and they can’t burrow, too soft and they suffocate. This mud tends to be ‘sticky’ you can feel it with a depth finder weight on a sensitive rod. Say the lake in question the weeds grow to a depth of 15′ and the main basin drops to 25′. Look for an edge with a steepish drop from say 10′-25′. This edge will grow weeds at the knuckle and on the upper portion of the slope. The dead weed detritus will tend to sluff to the bottom of the slope. The detritus tends to form the muck that burrowing mayflies prefer, may fly heaven. The bottom of this slope happens to coincide with the main lake basin the perch prefer to run around in. Sounds like the best of both worlds to me.