Impoundment (Red Cedar River)

Tainter Lake

Dunn, Wisconsin

Tainter Lake is a 1,605-acre Red Cedar River impoundment in Dunn County, up to 37 feet deep, with about 25.7 miles of shoreline. WDNR lists walleye as common; panfish, bass and northern pike are present.

Air temp in Colfax, WI Loading current temperature…

Red pins match the numbered boat launches below. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Tainter Lake (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area1,605 acres

Max depth37 ft

Shoreline25.7 mi

Boat motorsCheck local ordinances

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Walleye●●●●○

Common per WDNR

Crappie●●●○○

Black crappie commonly caught

Bluegill●●●○○

Commonly caught

Northern Pike●●○○○

Present per WDNR

Largemouth Bass●●○○○

Present per WDNR

Smallmouth Bass●●○○○

Present per WDNR

Yellow Perch●●○○○

Reported present

White Bass●●○○○

Reported present

Boat launches

5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

1Chapany ParkPublic
Public ramp per Omnia FishingDirections ↗
2Northwest landingPublic
Public ramp per Omnia FishingDirections ↗
3Lambs Creek ParkPublic
Public ramp per Omnia FishingDirections ↗
4Kleist landingPublic
Public ramp per Omnia FishingDirections ↗
More public accessPublic
See the WDNR lake page for all landingsDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.

Species	Min size	Daily limit
Walleye May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027	15 in (20-24 in may not be kept; 1 over 24 in allowed)	3 / day
Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027	14 in	5 / day
Northern Pike May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	5 / day
Muskellunge May 2-Dec 31, 2026	40 in	1 / day
Panfish Open all year	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	10 / day
Catfish Open all year	See Wisconsin rules book ↗	10 / day
Lake Sturgeon No fishing allowed	Closed	0

Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Wisconsin DNR ↗

Verified October 2026. Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Wisconsin DNR before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Big Mama's Bait ShopNearby
E5841 800th Ave, Menomonie, WI 54751(715) 231-0839 Directions ↗
Menomonie Outdoors Sport ShopNearby
850 N Broadway St, Menomonie, WI 54751(715) 231-2194 Directions ↗
Dunham's SportsNearby
Menomonie, WIDirections ↗

Search more bait shops near Tainter Lake ↗

Local tips

The North basin is favored for fishing, with fish cribs and shallower spawning water
Algae blooms in late summer can reduce clarity
Check WDNR regulations before keeping fish

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.

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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.