2005 Fishing Report

OUR MUSKY CHART was interesting this year – while it seemed like fewer fish, with a sample of only 44 musky (34” or more only out of Teal lake), it is only 6 less than last year, but average for the last ten years. However, the number of legal sized fish matters less when you look at the other statistics. In July someone stated they were seeing fewer fish, but the ones they were seeing were bigger – they were right!. Studying the 2005 legal fish recorded, the average was a wonderful 37.8”. While this is a less than half an inch shorter than last year, it is once again bigger than the rest of the decade. The number of fish over 40” is also up, second highest in the decade. 

So, why was 2004 better fishing? The only guess is that the 2004 weather was worse, a lot worse - the coldest and wettest in a long time. 2005, in contrast, was wonderful – drier and warmer than we can remember. In fact, down right hot! And still the fishing held up reasonably – so we are delighted.

TWO BIG AND IMPORTANT FISHING THINGS COMING UP IN 2006:
FIRSTLY, YOUR INPUT IS INVITED:
The DNR now asks for input from those interested in certain lakes because they want to manage different lakes for different usages. Some of our local lakes have already had their input; the public went for walleye on Nelson lake and even the Chippewa Flowage!
Our turn for the Quiet Lakes (Teal and Lost Land) is next June is: Saturday, June 6 at the Town Hall up here. If you feel strongly, we (and they) would love visitor/tourist input. We will be going, of course. If you can’t be here, at least deliver written input on Teal lake so your voice is heard. 

There is a school of thought that we should request “slot” keep/release: keeping the smaller (thus removing the genetically smaller fish) and the larger (fully mature), but releasing the middle size which have the potential to grow larger. I have also heard the opposite: release the largest and smallest, but keep a slot in the middle (30-40”). What do you know about this plan in other fisheries? The home owners in this area now outnumber resorters and visitors these days, and my best guess, is the homeowners will vote to manage Teal for walleye!

SECONDLY, “LEGAL” SIZE GOES TO 40” next year:
We have now reached the point on the release program that 100% of muskies reported were released.   So, the change will make no difference to the sex life of the musky, but will make a big difference to those who are excited about the challenge of musky fishing.  Two possible speculations about 100% release:  either nobody kept any, or anybody keeping one was too socially embarrassed to report it!  We feel this is a bit of a shame: musky is not endangered, and it is a wonderful fish to eat(ask us for great-grandma’s terrific recipe, or have our kitchen fix it for you.)  

However, with 40” considered “legal”, for both reporting and for keeping, we will loose track of growth patterns.   We plan to keep our musky chart in two categories: those over 30”, (all released of course), and those over 40” which you have the option to keep.   So: keep that in mind when you measure and then release your smaller muskies: we are interested and would like to keep a full count.

OOPS: ONE MORE….THIRDLY, HOW TO RELEASE A MUSKY:
While this seems fairly obvious, new statistics are becoming known about the percentages of those released fish that seem to swim away with vigor, but are actually not surviving in the long term. This figure is at least 60%, and some studies show it to be much higher. The new studies show that many handling aspects can cause damage: the angle at which the fish is held (usually for the photograph) can be damaging, the speed with which the fish is brought through a temperature change, as well as the old theories of wet hands, length of time out of water, nature of the bait, etc.   

This saddens us as we have an intrinsic interest in the release program: it was Nelson Ross, Tim’s father, who first suggested that musky be released to swim again and grow, and implemented the first release program here on Teal Lake. The release percentage increased each year, and by 1990 we were recording around 98% released. We have become more interested recently as our son, Ben, is now involved with this. Presently at Scripps, in San Diego, in ocean fishery applications, he has also done relevant research on cod fisheries off the Maine coasts, and spent time talking to our local musky gurus when he comes through home. Ask us – we will tell you what we have heard most recently. 

FISHING GUIDES 2009

WE ARE PRIVILEGED to have several FISHING GUIDES associated with the resort, just as we have had throughout our history SINCE 1921. A guide will take you in his own boat for a full or a half-day. He will teach you, direct you, accompany you or merely entertain you! All guides are experienced on Teal Lake, and each have individual knowledge on other local waters, and will willingly drive you. Our guides can also prepare a true northwoods "shore lunch" - a cookout either with fish you catch or we supply, or with hamburgers, brats, etc..

The resort guides currently charge $300/ day, or $225/ half a day when booked through the resort or staying at resort. This covers two people, (or three if you are not musky fishing), gas, tackle etc. but does not cover live bait or lost baits. You will be expected to pay for the guide's lunch on a full day. Guides are independent contractors and may be tipped, at your discretion. They are not resort staff, do not participate in the service charge and are not under the resort "NO TIPPING" restraint. (A common question is how much is "normal tip," we suggest you use the same percentage used in restaurants… and if there is a good catch or even if the fish were not hungry but the guide worked hard for you… then feel free to show your appreciation. Please keep in mind that all the equipment is their own, so if a pole is lost or broken… please offer to cover the expense.)

Full day or half-day guiding will normally be billed through your resort bill, unless you tell us yourself at the office that the guide has been paid directly. Tipping is not included on the bill except by special arrangements with bigger groups.

If the resort office arranges a guide for you, there is a $10 non-refundable booking fee per guide per day. You are welcome to book the guide directly but if you do, you must inform the office so we expect him/her arriving in the driveway early a certain morning (we are strict on this for the security of our guests and because our boat launch is not public, only for the use of resort guests and guides hired by our resort guests).

MEET OUR PERSONAL HAND-PICKS OF GREAT FISHING GUIDES!
(we know they know Teal!)

Chuck Roehl has lived in Hayward Wisconsin all his life and has fished the Hayward Area Lakes since he was old enough to hold a fishing pole. He guides most of the Hayward area lakes including the Chippewa Flowage, Round Lake, Spider Lake Chain, and Sissabagama just to name a few. You will learn simple and effective techniques that really work while exploring new and majestic lakes.  http://www.chuckroehlsguideservice.com/

When TERRY PETERSON learned this lake well when he lived on Teal and ran a smaller resort here for years. He developed the Predator and several other baits for musky, and now has his own bait company. He is a tremendous bass and crappie fisherman too, on this and other lakes. HE ALSO ENJOYS FISHING BASS ON "THE BIG LAKE" – LAKE SUPERIOR.

MILT DIECKMAN guided at this resort as a young man, returning when he took early retirement from Game Warden for Department of Natural Resources. Milt loves to introduce new fishermen, especially younger fishermen. Milt usually takes fishing school. He is known for his fabulous shorelunches for groups.

JOHN MYHRE lives on Moose Lake and is very familiar with the local fishing conditions as they change from week to week throughout the season as he does a local radio program and a local web site. In the winter you will see him at some of the fishing shows. John is willing to guide in the evenings too.

Everyone loves the background and the history. We sometimes have some other younger staff around too, working at the resort and able to guide part-time, coordinating with their resort duties. (Historical note: a young guide at Ross' from the '60's, Mike Dombeck, working his way through college became your head of the U.S. Forest Service, in the ‘90’s and in a prior generation Ernie Swift who went on to found the national wildlife federation. You never know who you might meet!

Other Hayward guides are booking themselves directly, or may be reached through the Guide Association. Their fees range upward from $300. We have phone numbers in the office for you to call.

ROSS' TEAL LAKE LODGE'S FISHING MAP OF TEAL AND LOST LAND LAKES

FISHING SCHOOL with guides is a different sort of package….

Offered only in SUMMER, (mid June through late August, primarily, but we can always ask the guides for other times!). The resort actually contracts with a guide for a half day, and then subdivides their time so that you can have all the fun of taking a guide, but for just two hours.

While most of our "fishing school" clients are beginners, or families with little kids who can't sit still much longer than two hours, other experienced fishermen also go on "fishing school" for just two hours to find out the latest hot spots and update their Teal Lake stories! All you need to bring is yourself AND A LICENSE. Kids age 16 and under need no license.

OUR GUIDES enjoy introducing new "fisher-persons", especially young persons, to this favorite and timeless sport. However, all the other guides also do "school" sessions from time to time, as needed, so we make no promises who your guide will be.

Equipment and bait are included: Bring your own equipment if you prefer, but it is not necessary.

Fishing School is always billed through to your resort bill.

Covers two people, usually, but three is often O.K. if some are little and if you are not musky fishing (safety, because of the huge musky hooks).

The usual schedule for FISHING SCHOOL is:

• Tuesday morning: (1) 8 a.m. session and (2*) 10.30 a.m. session
• Thursday morning: (1) 8 a.m. session and (2*) 10.30 a.m. session

*(coordinates with the island picnic; the guide will bring you directly to the island) We often talk guides into an after-picnic fishing school, when the morning sessions are filled.