PILA President Sarah Sisbach reports on our loon population as of summer 2025:

“This year a pair of loons battled strong winds that dislodged the arched eagle guard over the floating loon station in the back bay.  Swarms of loon-specific black flies delayed their nesting and were still present when they laid their eggs.  Despite the weather, which vacillated between sweltering and cold, the eggs hatched sucessfully and produced two adorable and very active chicks.  The adult loons are a mature pair, which we know because both of them are banded–and banding loons here ended 13 years ago when Mike Meyer retired from the DNR.

“Our loon numbers have declined on Presque Isle Lake as they have all across the state.  Recent research has shown a 22% decline over the past 25  years.  This research also shows a strong correlation with the loss of water clarity observed by satellite.  The loss of water clarity degrades loon parents’ ability to locate fish for themselves and their chicks.

“We can all take steps to protect and improve PI Lake water quality, which will benefit the fish population, the loons, and our own property values.  It starts with our shoreline: we can maintain a 35′ deep buffer zone of native vegetation (rather than grass), especially around runoff areas such as along stairs down to the dock.  We can stop using yard fertilizer.

“We can also take steps to protect the loons from injury.  First of all, stay at least 200′ away from loons when out boating.  Don’t chase the birds to get a closer look!  If you fish, be aware that lures and lines that are cut and left in the water are the biggest cause of loon injury.  Lead weights and jigs wind up on the lake bottom can be swallowed by loons as they pick up gravel off the lakebed to keep their gizzards working.  Lead poisoning for birds, whether loons or eagles, is excruciatingly painful and always fatal.  Please don’t fish with lead tackle!