Menomin & Tainter

Just thinking about getting out ice fishing for eyes this winter and have been thinking about this idea for a while. Why don’t these two lakes put a slot size on walleyes? I dunno about Menomin so much, but in Tainter there are so so many fish between 14-16 inches…sometimes you struggle to get a legal fish. I just dont understand why there isnt a total 3 fish limit at 14-18″ and one fish over 25″ or maybe even bigger. Seems like it would improve the fisheries so much in my mind. Feel free to put your two cents in on this….

I agree, and if you get eyes on tainter and menomin 25″ i want to fish with you

TipUpsOnly:

When I first started going to school at Stout, the size limit was something different than the current 15″. I remember they changed something and we thought it was going to help the size structure and that has apparently not happened.

Here in Vilas and Oneida there are a few lakes with a 3 fish limit with only 1 of those three that can be over 14″ in length. If I remember correctly you guys have a 5 fish limit. Perhaps the population would continue to withstand smaller fish being removed. I do remember that we caught some dandy specimens out of there though.

Mark

Right now it is a 3 fish limit at 15″…atleast on tainter (i think menomin is the same). But i’m in favor of any type of slot. It’s clear to me that lakes in wisconsin, and especially minnesota, that have slot limits produce really nice eyes. I don’t understand why they wouldnt want to do something like this on these lakes. Who would you go about contacting to even propose something like this?

Menomin is a 5 fish limit. Most of the regulars on Menomin have a self imposed slot. Most release any fish over 20″. Although the number of fish on Menomin seemed to be down this year, the number of legal fish are up. Tainter has a few more wrinkles when takling about legal size fish. One it is in the ceded territory and can be speared. Another factor is the feeder rivers that can’t be navigated by most boats. As far as contacts, I would start by running a proposal by the Dunn County Fish and Game club. A typical 16″eye from Menomin.

I dont fish Menomin much, but seems to me from what I hear there are more eyes in Tainter. So its weird to me that Tainter is 3 and Menomin is 5. But I know that you catch more than your fair share out on Menomin Don. I also have my own slot on Tainter. I like to keep the 15-16 inchers if any, & let everything else go unless it’s getting mounted. However, not everyone is like that. I’m not concerned about the number of fish in Tainter because there is PLENTY. Just would like to see the quality improve & I dont think many people would be against that. There are just so many 14-14.99 inch fish in there.

I agree tainter can be a pain in the arse trying to get a leagal fish. Maybe a slot like Wissota has would be the answer.

Do you hit menomin for eyes in the winter at all Don?

Not much anymore, I am usually on the rivers in the winter.

Ah ic that’s dedication. Well feel free to share some of your old Menomin honey holes then. Haha. I have only tried it for eyes in the winter once, and I was shut out.

First ice, 15ft of water about 10 paces from shore. You will be protected from the east wind.

Hmm Well I can guess the general piece of shoreline, but that is not enough. Haha. Can’t be wasting valuable early ice time searching for a new spot. I’m sure I will find myself on Tainter the first chance I get.