Posted Thursday, June 14, 2012 --- 11:20 a.m.

APPLETON, Wis. (AP) -- Blue green algae have arrived early this year on Lake Winnebago chain lakes and the lower Fox River because of unseasonably warm weather.

Robin McLennan, basin supervisor at state Department of Natural Resources, says usually the algae don't accumulate on the water's surface until late June.

The Calumet, Fond du Lac and Winnebago county health departments warn residents to avoid contact with the floating patches of pond scum, called cyanobacteria.

The Post-Crescent reports (http://post.cr/KY3Chx ) as blue-green algae reproduces, it blooms and releases toxins that can make people and animals sick. Exposure can be fatal for animals, especially dogs.

Residents and animals should not swim in or drink water with algae blooms present.

The algae has coated Lake Winnebago and parts of the Fox River for years.

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Information from: The Post-Crescent, http://www.postcrescent.com

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.