NOV/DEC 2025 QLIA News
QLIA Executive Board Meets with Regional DNR Water Specialist
Thanks Jamie for traveling to visit with the QLIA Board to explore important topics of lake management best practices:
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We welcomed Jamie Vandenlandenberg at our November Executive Board meeting, and she shared valuable insights on long-term lake management and Eurasian water-milfoil (EWM).
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Milfoil will auto-fragment and spread naturally; EWM will never be fully eliminated, so our goal is ongoing control rather than eradication.
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Herbicide treatments typically provide 2–3 years of control, with 4–5 years considered an excellent result; effectiveness can be reduced in areas with incoming water (streams/rivers).
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Jamie emphasized that a comprehensive lake management plan is the best long-term approach, is generally good for 10 years, and is worth using fully if we invest in one.
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She stressed that shoreline health and runoff reduction are critical—anything that gets water into the ground instead of running into the lake helps overall lake health.
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Jamie encouraged us to explore the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program, which can help fund native plantings, rain gardens, habitat projects, and shoreline infiltration improvements.
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She offered to send educational links for our website/newsletter and is open to speaking at a future member event and/or leading a plant-ID training on the lakes.
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Post Treatment Survey Reports for Lost Land and Teal Lakes
In early August, our bed-mapping experts from ERS completed post-treatment surveys to evaluate how well the chemical applications were managing and controlling Eurasian water-milfoil in both Lost Land and Teal Lakes. Late-summer 2025 mapping confirms that control across the system remains very strong following ProcellaCor treatments:
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Lost Land Lake recorded 13 beds totaling about 10.33 acres (0.82% of the lake), a slight increase from 2024 but still an approximately 96% reduction from peak infestation in 2022, with regrowth largely confined to untreated southern bays.
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Teal Lake continues to improve as well, with 16 mostly small beds totaling about 7.00 acres (0.68% of the lake), representing an ~84% reduction since 2022 and a further decline in acreage from 2024, though a few southwest-bay beds re-formed and will be watched closely or targeted for follow-up in 2026.
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These treatments have been partially funded through the Wisconsin DNR Surface Water and Large Population Grant, along with generous Lake Association member donations that continue to support our ongoing lake-management efforts.
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Please review the detailed reports from Lake Biologist Matt Berg on this post survey of the lakes from August 2025:
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2025 Musky & Walleye Stocking Report
In November 2025, Teal Lake was stocked with 250 muskellunge fingerlings, purchased by the Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies Inc. These fish originated from eggs collected in Lost Land/Teal Lakes in spring 2025 and were raised to fingerling size at the Minnesota Musky Farm.
For comparison, the Wisconsin DNR stocked 1,407 musky fingerlings in Lost Land Lake in September 2025. The difference in stocking rates reflects documented levels of natural reproduction in each lake. Teal Lake consistently demonstrates higher natural reproduction, reducing the need for supplemental stocking.
The musky population in Ghost Lake is entirely supported by natural reproduction, which typically results in a higher density of muskellunge than populations that rely on stocking.
How Shoreline Owners Can Help
Shoreline owners play a critical role in supporting natural musky reproduction across all Quiet Lakes by:
- Leaving or restoring natural shoreline and aquatic vegetation
- Minimizing runoff into the lakes
- Limiting disturbances to the lakebed and nearshore areas
- Protecting overall water quality
These actions also improve the survival of stocked muskellunge. Typically, fewer than 20% of stocked musky survive to adulthood, making habitat protection essential to long-term population health.
Walleye Stocking Info for 2025
Walleye were also stocked in all three Quiet Lakes in 2025:
- Ghost Lake: 4,218 walleye fingerlings
- Lost Land Lake: 6,933 walleye fingerlings
- Teal Lake: 10,147 walleye fingerlings
Stocking rates vary statewide as part of an ongoing Wisconsin DNR study evaluating the effectiveness of walleye stocking.
Thank You
We extend our sincere thanks to Wisconsin DNR Senior Fish Biologist Max Wolter and the Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies Inc. for arranging and donating these fingerlings—and for their continued commitment to supporting our lakes and fish habitat.
The QLIA Executive Board will continue to focus on the Quiet Lakes fishery and work cooperatively with the Wisconsin DNR, Muskies Inc., and other key fisheries organizations to proactively manage, protect and enhance the fishery across our lakes.