What is that malodor?

kayakn · 06-03-2007, 07:11 AM

We noticed that smell last night during the thunderstorms...

Dave R · 06-03-2007, 07:38 AM

Years ago, I used to troll for white perch (delicious) in Pawtuckaway Lake with my grandfather. We could always tell when we were about to catch some because of the strong fish odor we'd pass through when we were over the school. I'd guess it's schooling fish.

SIKSUKR · 06-04-2007, 01:40 PM

I launched my PWC at Glendale and didn't notice any smell.I also went for swims near Bear Island across from Shep Browns,across from Harrilla landing on Little Bear,and in the middle of the Broads and never had a hint of fishy water.Check your nose,maybe you wiped something on it!

On another note, last year I met a few people on their boat off Timber and immediately noticed an awfull musty smell when I boarded.I was wondering who on the boat smelled so bad.I left and and boarded another friends boat and thought it was strange that someone on that boat also had the same awfull smell.Well you guessed it,it was me!How embarrassing.My shorts smelled pretty musty after they got wet.So folks,check your pants before boarding.

Island Girl · 06-04-2007, 01:47 PM

It was mentioned to me by a guest... but I had already noticed the odor. We visited friends who had already noticed it... so this time... I did not need a shower... or other suggested issues!!

NHKathy · 06-04-2007, 03:59 PM

I smelled this too - Saturday in the early afternoon -

My husband was looking high and low for a dead fish or other animal somewhere - it was driving us crazy - glad to now we are not crazy. On the other hand, I don't know if I like knowing that people are smelling this in different spots throughout the Lake - what could it be??

waukewanderer · 06-04-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

The lake has had a fishy smell for the last couple of days... at first I thought a dead fish must have been trapped under my dock... but the same odor is in other parts of the lake...

Anyone know what that might be????

The odor that you refer to is the result of a naturally occurring Spring "turn over" of the water in the lake. The water temperature at the bottom of the lake is warmer than that of the upper level...the warm water rises to the top and brings with it decomposing matter and other odoriferous stuff from the bottom. This occurs again in the Fall when the water temperature changes. It smells like a pond for a few days and then goes away. Aside from smelling like a frog, I don't think you can get any ill effects from swimming in it.

Argie's Wife · 06-04-2007, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waukewanderer

The odor that you refer to is the result of a naturally occurring Spring "turn over" of the water in the lake. The water temperature at the bottom of the lake is warmer than that of the upper level...the warm water rises to the top and brings with it decomposing matter and other odoriferous stuff from the bottom. This occurs again in the Fall when the water temperature changes. It smells like a pond for a few days and then goes away. Aside from smelling like a frog, I don't think you can get any ill effects from swimming in it.

I noticed the smell too...

And your explanation makes perfect sense - thank you!

A summer place · 06-16-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waukewanderer

The odor that you refer to is the result of a naturally occurring Spring "turn over" of the water in the lake. The water temperature at the bottom of the lake is warmer than that of the upper level...the warm water rises to the top and brings with it decomposing matter and other odoriferous stuff from the bottom. This occurs again in the Fall when the water temperature changes. It smells like a pond for a few days and then goes away. Aside from smelling like a frog, I don't think you can get any ill effects from swimming in it.

I'm not sure that we would still be experiencing any effects from turnover at this late stage of the spring.

Maybe it's the biological breakdown of the pollen?

http://waterontheweb.org/under/lakee...ification.html

ApS · 06-17-2007, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A summer place

"...Maybe it's the biological breakdown of the pollen...?"

Beat me to it.

Yesterday, I was at the warm, windless lakeside and noticed the fishy odor with pollen all around. Weekend boat wakes, missing during the week, helped to aerate the shoreline and enhance the odor.

The white perch theory must have more to do with the "pollen time of year" than "sniffing white perch out". (Nothing against theories, of course).

06-04-2007, 01:40 PM	#3
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I launched my PWC at Glendale and didn't notice any smell.I also went for swims near Bear Island across from Shep Browns,across from Harrilla landing on Little Bear,and in the middle of the Broads and never had a hint of fishy water.Check your nose,maybe you wiped something on it! On another note, last year I met a few people on their boat off Timber and immediately noticed an awfull musty smell when I boarded.I was wondering who on the boat smelled so bad.I left and and boarded another friends boat and thought it was strange that someone on that boat also had the same awfull smell.Well you guessed it,it was me!How embarrassing.My shorts smelled pretty musty after they got wet.So folks,check your pants before boarding. __________________ SIKSUKR

06-04-2007, 01:47 PM	#4
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,358 Thanks: 18 Thanked 577 Times in 183 Posts	It wasn't me It was mentioned to me by a guest... but I had already noticed the odor. We visited friends who had already noticed it... so this time... I did not need a shower... or other suggested issues!! __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

06-03-2007, 07:11 AM	#1
kayakn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Laconia Posts: 68 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	We noticed that smell last night during the thunderstorms...

06-03-2007, 07:38 AM	#2
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	Years ago, I used to troll for white perch (delicious) in Pawtuckaway Lake with my grandfather. We could always tell when we were about to catch some because of the strong fish odor we'd pass through when we were over the school. I'd guess it's schooling fish.

06-04-2007, 03:59 PM	#5
NHKathy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moultonborough when I can / RI Posts: 699 Thanks: 180 Thanked 38 Times in 22 Posts	I smelled this too - Saturday in the early afternoon - My husband was looking high and low for a dead fish or other animal somewhere - it was driving us crazy - glad to now we are not crazy. On the other hand, I don't know if I like knowing that people are smelling this in different spots throughout the Lake - what could it be??