Rainy Lake stretches across the Minnesota-Canada border, with its U.S. portion spanning Koochiching and St. Louis Counties in northern Minnesota. This massive body of water covers approximately 227,604 acres with a maximum depth of 161 feet and an average depth of 32 feet, featuring over 2,176 miles of shoreline. The lake's Canadian Shield granite formations and majestic pine forests provide a stunning backdrop to one of Minnesota's finest fisheries. The dominant rock structure plays a crucial role throughout the lake, particularly in spring and summer fishing patterns. About 80 percent of the lake extends into Ontario, but the U.S. side alone offers countless fishing spots and miles of shoreline to explore. The lake is connected to the Rainy River system and includes Black Bay, Gold Portage below the rapids, the Rat Root River, and Rat Root Lake.
Learn what type of fish are at Rainy Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Micropterus salmoides
Micropterus dolomieu
Esox lucius
Esox masquinongy
Sander vitreus
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Ameiurus melas
Lota lota
Cyprinus carpio
Coregonus clupeaformis
Lepomis gibbosus
Ambloplites rupestris
Sander canadensis
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Catostomus commersonii
Perca flavescens
Learn how to get on Rainy Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
What you need to float or boat Rainy Lake, and when to apply.
Voyageurs National Park waters
Reservation permit · Overnight trips · Required year-round
Camping at any of Voyageurs National Park's water-access campsites needs a reservation and permit from Recreation.gov.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park waters
Reservation permit · Overnight trips · Required May 1 to Oct 31
Staying overnight aboard a houseboat, cabin cruiser or sailboat in the park from May 1 to Oct 31 needs a permit.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Voyageurs National Park
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
You need to buy a Minnesota fishing license if you're 16 or older. Annual licenses allow you to fish from March 1 to the last day of February the following year. Lower-cost licenses are available for shorter time periods. There is an added cost to fish for trout, salmon or sturgeon. All non-residents, regardless of age, must buy a fishing license.
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
A Minnesota waterway is navigable if it’s capable of travel, recreational or commercial. The state owns navigable streambeds, which are open to public recreation. All surface waters and groundwater, except for surface waters not confined, are waters of the state.
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Download the map around Rainy Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Rainy Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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See the best times to fish Rainy Lake and check the forecast before you go.
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onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.
