Rainy Lake

Rainy Lake

View in the App
Size
211759ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Rainy Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Sauger
Sauger
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Walleye
Walleye

Rainy Lake Overview

Fishing Regulations in Rainy 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.

Location: Including the Rainy River above the dam at International Falls, all of Rainy Lake to the dam at Kettle Falls, Black Bay including Gold Portage below the rapids, all of the Rat Root River, and Rat Root Lake

  • Walleye and Sauger: Combined possession limit eight (not more than four can be walleye). All walleye from 18-26” must be immediately released. One walleye over 26” allowed in possession.

Rainy Lake Features

Rainy Lake is a significant sport-fishing destination and is destined to become one of the finest resources in North America. Ontario and Minnesota jointly manage the lake. The progressive management by Ontario and Minnesota biologists has demonstrated that a major walleye fishery, once devastated by overfishing, can recover under a program of stringent sport fishing regulations and a growing ethic of angler catch-and-release. The walleye population has dramatically improved; additionally Rainy is recognized as one of the premier smallmouth fisheries of North America, and hosts a renowned annual bass tournament (Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship). Navigation aids are important on Rainy Lake. The Canadian Coast Guard maintains a system of navigation aids throughout the Canadian portion of Rainy Lake that assists anglers in safe boating. Buoys are placed to identify hazards and to mark safe navigation channels. When navigating upstream, always keep red buoys on the right (starboard) side and green buoys on the left (port) side. Proceeding downstream, the green buoy is to the right and the red buoy is on the left. Isolated rock bars or hazards are marked with black buoys. Anglers must possess the proper license(s) and be aware of the current fishing regulations. Minnesota and the province of Ontario have imposed their own regulations for their respective portion of Rainy Lake. Additionally, anglers new to Rainy Lake can find navigation difficult. No one should venture out without compass and an accurate map. Global positioning systems are a definite plus. Hiring a guide is a suggestion for those new to the lake and fishery.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Crappie
fish
6-14 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2023
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
8.5
0Statewide Range5.835

Rainy Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201715
View in the App
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
10-41 in
Length Range
24 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
2.25
0Statewide Range19.6

Rainy Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
View in the App
Perch
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
9
0Statewide Range43.55

Rainy Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
View in the App
Pumpkinseed
fish
4-7 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.13
0Statewide Range6.01

Rainy Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
View in the App
Rock bass
fish
5-11 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.95
0Statewide Range4.26

Rainy Lake Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
View in the App
Sauger
fish
7-17 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
1.92
0Statewide Range37.98

Rainy Lake Sauger abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
View in the App
Smallmouth bass
fish
7-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
33.27
0Statewide Range80.92

Rainy Lake Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
View in the App
Sturgeon
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
8-28 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2023
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
7.5
0Statewide Range16.93

Rainy Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

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.
Species Lengths
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201715
View in the App

Nearby Lakes

waterbodys

Rat Root Lake

Size: 930 acres

Fish Species: 6

Boat Launch: Yes