Tainter Lake

[bigeyes75]

I am looking for any information on the lake. Has anyone fished the lake recently and if so, what have you caught on the lake? Just bought a lake home on the lake and am looking for info on it. I appreciate the help.

[Cooter]

Are you on the upper or lower part of it(with Jake's being between the two)? Didn't fish it this winter but do a few times each summer for walleyes.

[Quickstrike]

I have never fished it personally but have heard that it can be a very good lake for eyes at times.

[bigeyes75]

we are just north of Jakes. We are by Elk Point resort. Don't know anything about the lake yet. Heard from some people that say it can be a very good walleye lake. Does anyone know if you can get up any of the rivers with a boat?

[Cooter]

Eyes - got some info coming soon for ya

[bigeyes75]

Thanks Cooter,

Any help would be appreciated.

[Cooter]

Eyes - I have not forgotten, info still coming! In the meantime, the WI DNR HSOforum has lake maps for Tainter - not much detail but free to peek at. Also, the Wisconsin Sportsmen? lake maps booklets cover Tainter if you want to buy one or at least sneek a peek at the local sportingoods store.

[Cooter]

Sorry for the delay, I just talked to a buddy who fishes Tainter regularly for eyes. Doesn't sound like you can get very far up the river. One of his favorite spots though is where the river opens up into the lake - lots of 5-6' of water with weeds later in the year. A good place to troll or cast cranks - original Raps work well. Otherwise he trolls shorelines and points with Shad Raps - has had good luck with the glass Shad Raps. If not trolling, live bait - particularly leeches, are the way to go. I'll pass on more info if I hear of any specific areas/patterns developing. Later.

[bigeyes75]

Thanks Cooter,

Went out a couple of nights ago and caught 12 walleyes. Nothing to talk about. Still had fun. Can you ask your buddy what colors and presentations work well on the lake? I was using a green jig head with a fat head. It worked pretty good. Tried leeches and they did not work well for me. Haven't tried trolling crankbaits yet. I will try that next weekend. Which river is your buddy talking about? The one leading into upper or lower Tainter? Thanks for the info.

[Cooter]

Sounds like you did pretty well - you're off to a great start. I wouldn't give up on the leeches - just fish them later in the year, usually June is when they and crawlers start to outfish minnows. Since you mentioned jig fishing, orange is another good option anywhere, Tainter included. The river I was referring to is the Red Cedar, which empties into upper Tainter. I'm not aware of any other rivers feeding it, just creeks/streams - the Red Cedar R was darned to create Tainter, along with Menomin in Menomonie. I'll get back with any info as soon as I can.

[bigeyes75]

Thanks Cooter for the info. Just got back from fishing for six days. Did pretty good again. Fished that river entrance and did alright one night but nothing going the next three nights. I fished jigs and fatheads again. We ended up with twenty various fish on one night and last night we ended up with 16 walleyes. NOT BAD!!! I spoke with one guy and he said that gold husky jerks work well on that lake. I tried rapalas and nothing was biting. All the fish we caught were 14 to 18 inches. Caught one 21 inch walleye. Anyways, just thought I would update the post.