Tainter Lake Overview
Walleye action reaches its peak in the spring and fall with most fish taken in less than 10-feet of water. Crappie numbers are strong. Good action for smallmouth too!
Fishing Regulations in Tainter Lake
Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Waterbody Regulations
- 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.
Special Species Regulations
- Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Lake sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Rock, yellow, and white bass: 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.
- White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- Round goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
- Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
- Muskellunge and hybrids: May 25, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
- Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
- Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
- Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: 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.
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Fish Species
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Tainter Lake Walleye abundance
Average range for similar lakes
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.| Survey Year | Largest Fish (in) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 28 |
