Overwintering of Microcystis in Lake Mendota

SUMMARY. Microcystis, an important bloom‐forming blue‐green alga in Lake Mendota, Wisconsin, was found to accumulate at the lake bottom and overwinter there. Microcystis collected from winter sediments were photosynthetically active, showing temperature and light optima similar to summer and autumn populations. Sediments incubated under in situ conditions in the laboratory maintained photosynthetic activity for at least four months. Such a maintenance ability may be part of an overall strategy by Microcystis populations to ensure a suitable inoculum for the following growth season.