Tainter Lake Fishing
A 1,605-acre Wisconsin flowage in Dunn County, down to 37 feet.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake Menomin: Wikideas1, CC0 1.0
Getting acquainted with Tainter Lake
The WDNR lists Tainter Lake at 1,605 acres, a flowage in Dunn County. Depths reach 37 feet at the deepest spot, with a mean of 14 feet. In a straight line, under a mile separates the lake from Tainter Lake. Fisheries work here comes out of the West Central Region. Lake class on the WDNR layer reads complex riverine.
Its walleye come from natural reproduction only, per the WDNR. Walleye rules here follow the ceded territory standard. Fish on its WDNR list include walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, panfish and smallmouth bass. The WDNR access layer maps 5 public boat landings. WDNR satellite clarity is 4.8 feet for 2017.
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The DNR sorts the Tainter Lake fishery into abundant, common and present groups.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Walleye | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Northern Pike | Present |
| Panfish | Present |
| Smallmouth Bass | Present |
Walleye at Tainter Lake rely on natural reproduction only.
The WDNR class note for Tainter Lake
“Complex riverine lakes often support great fisheries for riverine species like smallmouth bass, and in some systems, walleye.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Landings around Tainter Lake
- Chapany Park Boat Ramp1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Facilities & Parks Dept.
- Kleist Landing1 lane, 11 to 15 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Facilities & Parks Dept.
- Lambs Creek Park Boat Ramp1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Facilities & Parks Dept.
- Northwest Landing1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Facilities & Parks Dept.
- Peninsula Park Boat Ramp1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Facilities & Parks Dept.
Public landings near Tainter Lake
- Russian Slough AccessRed Cedar River, 3 miles northeast
- 690th Avenue Boat LaunchRed Cedar River, 4 miles southwest
- Dobbs LandingRed Cedar River, 4 miles east
- South Fork Hay River AccessHay River, 6 miles northwest
- Wakanda Park Boat RampLake Menomin, 6 miles southwest
- Felland Park AccessRed Cedar River, 6 miles east
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Depth and bottom of Tainter Lake
Under the water, Tainter Lake is 65% sand, 5% gravel, 5% rock, 25% muck, per the DNR.
Hydrologically, Tainter Lake is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Tainter Lake has these invasive species on file: chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, japanese knotweed (fallopia japonica) and zebra mussel. Rinse gear before the next lake.
The WDNR notes ordinances on Tainter Lake for slow-no-wake areas.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
The rule table for Tainter Lake
WDNR lists these Tainter Lake seasons and bag rules species by species.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| White perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. |
The WDNR record for Tainter Lake adds: Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
County text for Dunn: Dunn County is partially in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
Tainter Lake is north of US Highway 10 for pike, and in the Southern Bass Zone for bass.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Tainter Lake stocking history
Tainter Lake received 444 fish over 1 stocking records between 2025 and 2025.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 11 in | 444 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Tainter Lake beside its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tainter Lake | 1,605 | 37 | 5 | complex riverine | |
| Lake Menomin | 6 miles southwest | 1,009 | 34 | 4 | complex riverine |
| Old Elk Lake | 12 miles southeast | 90 | 6 | 1 | simple harsh no fishery |
| Elk Creek Lake* | 15 miles southeast | 57 | 17 | 1 | simple riverine |
| Glen Lake, St. Croix County | 15 miles west | 84 | 36.4 | 1 | simple cool dark |
| Prairie Farm Flowage | 19 miles north | 33 | 8 | 1 | complex riverine |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
In reach of Tainter Lake
Other Wisconsin lakes close to Tainter Lake
- Lake Menomin6 miles southwest
- Old Elk Lake12 miles southeast
- Elk Creek Lake*15 miles southeast
- Glen Lake, St. Croix County15 miles west
- Prairie Farm Flowage19 miles north
Tackle shops a short drive from Tainter Lake
- Walmart Menomoniefarm and general store with fishing gear, Menomonie, 6 miles
- Fleet Farm Menomoniefarm and general store with fishing gear, Menomonie, 6 miles
- Bait On Broadwaybait and tackle shop, Menomonie, 7 miles
- Crazy D Tacklebait and tackle shop, Elk Mound, 13 miles
- Calkins Jeanettebait and tackle shop, Bloomer, 19 miles
- Marquardt Jeanettebait and tackle shop, Bloomer, 20 miles
Nearby Wisconsin towns for Tainter Lake
- Tainter Lakeunder a mile
- Wheeler5 miles
- Colfax7 miles
County pages for Tainter Lake
- Dunn Countyseat: Menomonie
Gear from Piscifun for Tainter Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Shoreline scenes a drive from Tainter Lake
Photo: Aaron Carlson from Menomonie, WI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Aaron Carlson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Aaron Carlson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Wikideas1, CC0 1.0
Quick facts people look up on Tainter Lake
How far is Tainter Lake from the nearest Wisconsin town?
In Dunn County, WDNR West Central Region, under a mile from Tainter Lake.
How big is Tainter Lake by the WDNR count?
About 1,605 acres and 37 feet at the deepest.
Which landing should I use to launch on Tainter Lake?
Try Chapany Park Boat Ramp, one of 5 mapped landings.
Does the WDNR list walleye in Tainter Lake?
Find a Lake names walleye (common), largemouth bass (present), northern pike (present), panfish (present) and smallmouth bass (present).
What can I keep from Tainter Lake?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids, per WDNR: The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
Is a stamp needed on Tainter Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
What lake class is Tainter Lake?
Satellite clarity about 4.8 feet (2017). Bottom: 65% sand, 5% gravel, 5% rock, 25% muck. WDNR class: complex riverine. Type: drainage.
Where can I buy bait on the way to Tainter Lake?
Closest on our list: Walmart Menomonie, 6 miles.
What has been stocked in Tainter Lake?
In 2025, 444 muskellunge.
Put Tainter Lake on this year's Wisconsin list
Buy a Go Wild license before the drive.