Earlier I'm not sure... In the past I have noticed them staging heavily in prov bay starting the second weekend in august. That's about what has happened this year for the most part. I think they are healthier but have never seen so many lampreys on fish as i have this year. 8 in 10 have had marks and or lampreys on them when caught. Regardless, it has been good fishing this year and hopefully this climb back to what I remember as a kid continues!!