The lake is great but it has good days and bad days like anything else. I lived near the lake for years and still think it's heart-rendingly beautiful. Flies weren't usually a problem, there are all kinds of animals living nearby that you wouldn't expect like seagulls, buffalo, etc.
And then yes there were occasional times where the lake would recede a bit and the smell could make you flinch from miles and miles away.
And then yes there were occasional times where the lake would recede a bit and the smell could make you flinch from miles and miles away.