Flies on Lake Michigan

 We took a trip from Frankfort to Sleeping Bear last Friday and although midge season is over, there were other flies not far off shore. We anchored about 300 yds out and had to make sure the saloon door was closed or they would get in by the dozens. Not house flies, not midges... some type of smaller non-biting longer bodied fly.

We have encountered flies numerous times in our sailing of the Great Lakes, even in the middle of Lake Superior! Seems they show up more when the wind is blowing from the south or east. 

Somewhere during our travels we were told to use Windex, the one with the vinegar. It doesn't always kill the flies but it shocks them enough that you can toss them overboard. It works!!

When I sailed Lake Michigan in the seventies and eighties there were swarms of black flies that would cover the boat and insidiously bite. We would wear our foul weather gear in hot sun for protection. It’s part of a healthy lake food chain, but I never cared for the bites.

Those are stable flies. They love to wait until you’re in a busy harbor when they will viciously attack your ankles. A fly swatter will help but leave your boat blood-spattered and looking like a war zone. Long socks and pants (treated with Permethrin) are your best defense. Cross country ski gaiters treated with Permethrin are perfect, but probably not something you thought you needed to cross Lake Michigan. 🙂

We are currently underway from Chicago to Saugatuk amidst hundreds of flies.  They look like small house flies and they are everywhere and the entire boat is covered. And they are biting!!!

Last week we sailed (motored) along the Michigan shore and were swarmed by midges.  This article appeared around the same time. https://www.mlive.com/weather/2023/05/millions-of-midges-are-making-a-d…