Every year is slightly different. It's sort of dependent on water temperatures and the amount of run off that occurs. I have the feeling that run off is the most important, and so far it's been low, but that can change in a heart beat. Water temps are also important as Blue-greens have perfered temperatures. Too low and they don't do well, it also seem that real high water temps can clear the water.

Based on 45 year of experience, I would guess that mid-August would be the around the start of the bloom, but I've seen it bad and also non-existent at that time of year.

There's usually still clear water available, but it may takes some looking. When the bloom is on you can burn lots of gas looking for clean water, but there's always some, some where. This would be true for most of the dark water parts of the lake. The trout areas are a different story, never seen a big bloom in Whitefish.

Doug Johnson