Isle Royale Forums

I've always visited the Island late season to avoid bugs. September has always worked out well. This time I am planning a trip to see the island early season before the Black Flies make an appearance. To someone who may know, how late can I push this? Is early/mid June to soon? Or should I plan on late May?

My general impression is that early June is typically OK, with occasional exceptions. I've only done one early trip, that spanned 6/1, and it was fine. The last week of June was the absolute worst I've seen, however, no enjoying the evenings. Personally, I probably won't go past the first week if I had a choice (and be prepared to suck it up if I didn't ).

It all depends on how warm/wet the spring is, but to avoid the notorious black flies I too would not go past the first week in June. I did a June 1-6 trip once. Near the big water of Lake Superior it was not much of a problem. At inland campsites I had to wear a head net the whole time and keep completely covered up. I even used rubber bands on the cuffs of my shirt and pants to keep the buggers from tunneling in. Black flies hatch in cold, clear, running water but the wind can drive them miles from where they hatch.

I have done two different trips in late May early June. Like Memorial day week. One was McCargoe to Chippewa Harbor. Richie to Chippewa during that first trip were the worst black flies I have ever seen. Made me a believer in head nets and I pack them always now. Then hiking the Greenstone on my last trip it was hit or miss with only a few random spots that were really bad. I was glad to have the head net then, but they were never as bad as that first trip.

Hoping for few bug this year

Leshippy wrote: Wed Mar 11, 2026 1:51 pm Made me a believer in head nets and I pack them always now.

Yup, ALWAYS pack a headnet! Regardless of time of year, it's possible to run into a hatch any month. Even though I've never actually used one on I.R. (well that'll jinx it...)

When I backpacked IR, I always hit it in late May or early June. I never had a problem with bugs that wasn't manageable. That being said, I still always bring a head net, long sleeves, and a small thing of bug spray/lotion, just to be safe.

For someone whose general philosophy is to avoid going in June to avoid the black flies, I've spent more nights on the island in June than any other month. However, those dates are mostly in the first week of June and never in the last two weeks. So far luck has smiled upon me, and I always bring all of the things anyway because you never know.

Avoiding dark clothing also helps, although if you bump into a big swarm all bets are off.

I've never had a problem in May or early June but the egg hatch is controlled by the water temperature of open, running water.
An early/unusually warm Spring will hearld them in early.
I've seen them still terrible well into July in the UP.