The water snakes of the Lake Erie Islands (including South Bass
Island) are on the rise:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/06/snakes.html

Mike Rowe visited with the Snake Lady on South Bass Island and aired
his trip on his Dirty Jobs show in 2006:

http://www.bloggingohio.com/2006/12/...annels-show-d/

We have been in the water when the snakes swam past us. They are
normally harmless but apparently bite when being caught. ;-)