Loons in Metro area waters?

[fisherman-andy]

Hmmm in my never-ending search of finding how many gems the metro area holds I came upon this one small body of water right in the heart of the Metro locally within the big cities and it has a pair of loons on it. Maybe looking to breed? I was surprised cause that is something you don't see here in the St.Paul/Mpls area usually.

I know loons prefer only clear & clean water and was surprised how clear this pond is. Not only that the body of water usually must have fish so they can forage. Loons generally prefer lakes/ponds 50acres or smaller but has been know to nest or use pond as small as 2acres as long as the water condition is adequate to their standards.

I did not catch any fish on this pond as it is new to me but currently am excited in the next few weeks to see what kind of fish this pond has and how these loons will hold up in the coming months if they should choose to stay on that small pond. Sorry I cannot reveal this location but the pond is fairly well enclosed anyhow from access.

[Desperado]

I see loons swimming on White Bear Lake every summer.

BUT

All the loons on the St Croix River are behind the wheel of overpowered boats.

[Maximum12]

Yup! I've seen loons not far from my old house in St. Paul on a body of water that was less than 10 acres, but also over 30 feet deep. Unfortunately it was also the recipient of a lot of street run-off via a sewer, so the water was never clean. I don't think they nested there, but I would see them on the water once in a while. So they're around!

I don't think it's a coincidence that there was no access & therefore no motors on the lake...perhaps even if the water wasn't ideal the lack of disturbance was appealing.

[lotsofish]

Last friday I was tooling around and stopped by three local lakes. They all had loons. First one had at least 1, didn't see any others. The second lake, just 50 acres or so, had a pair. I saw three loons at Long Lake in New Brighton.

Loons are migratory birds. I'm sure there are some that hang out in the metro throughout the summer, but most of them are probably headed back further north. Since there aren't a lot of lakes north of the cities that are clear of the ice yet, that's why were seeing them all here right now.

[iFishMN.YT]

Saw 3 sunday on west metro lake.

[JBMasterAngler]

I've seen loons on a handful of east metro lakes. I think they've been quite common in that area for the past 15 years or so.

[Mudcutter]

Ditto-

grew up on long lake in NB. usually a pair or soo around the Final Four. they usually spend about 2 weeks or so, then I asssume, they head north with the opening of more lakes. Does make it nice hearing them call,,, and not the roar of 694. Eagles are about 10 days ahead of the loons.

[andrew chadwick]

one day a few years ago I counted 23 loons on a small metro lake. they didnt stay of course. last summer a pair stayed on the lake for the summer.

[MSRiverdog]

I heard some the other day here on the creek, some neighbors told me they see them all the time, myself I don't think I've seen 5 here in 28 years+

[Slyster]

They stat and next on White Bear Lake.. I see the babies on the backs every summer.

[SFBOY]

one on josephine yesterday afternoon.

[Bobb-o]

there is a pair that will be on Josephine all summer long.

[tafadzwa]

There was a loon out on Calhoun yesterday.

[Liar]

for what it's worth I did a job for a customer near orchard lake. She was told by the DNR. that the loons nesting there were the farthest south they have seen them nest.

Dan

[IKOLA]

Saw one on Medicine today!

[Lee the bonehead]

They're on Medicine all summer.

[NICjockey]

Couple years ago, a local self-proclaimed "birder" claimed she was watching "about 100 loons" on a tiny little run-off pond in White Bear. She called the police when a buddy of mine started water skiing on it, claimed he was trying to run them over.

Of course, they were coots.

[Ranckenstuff]

Quote:

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Couple years ago, a local self-proclaimed "birder" claimed she was watching "about 100 loons" on a tiny little run-off pond in White Bear. She called the police when a buddy of mine started water skiing on it, claimed he was trying to run them over.

Of course, they were coots.

---

Hilarious!!!

[kslipsinker]

I have seen the Orchard loons for the last 3 years. They disappear by mid-summer.

[fisherman-andy]

Went back to that pond yesterday and luckily enough them Loons were still there. Also found a few nice slabs too. Can't wait till the weather warms up them waters...

[JBMasterAngler]

I drive around southern MN to deliver equipment, the last week or so I've seen lot's of bald eagles down there. It's just a matter of time before they're up in the grand marais area eating all the fish I was hoping to catch

[Roughfisher]

There was a pair of Loons on spring lake in spring lake park last week when I was out there kayaking. They were calling and everything, made me think I was up north! Had the lake to myself, drifting around catching fish with loons calling! Also paddled up on some Trumpeter Swans on George Watch.

[Johnny_Da_Der]

I saw a pair on Bald Eagle today (4/15). They flew about 15 feet over my head. First time I've ever seen a loon in the air.

[NICjockey]

Quote:

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I saw a pair on Bald Eagle today (4/15). They flew about 15 feet over my head. First time I've ever seen a loon in the air.

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I bet those were the ones I heard fly over Hugo! Surprised me, too. We get the Egrets, ducks, pheasants, turkeys, owls and every tweety possible, but that was the first Loon call I've heard in the metro for a long time. Probably a fluke, but nice anyway.