Rainy Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

69069400

County

St. Louis

Surface area

210,200 acres

Maximum depth

161 feet

Mean depth

32 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

18,949 acres, 9% of the lake

Shoreline

2176.3 miles

Average water clarity

9.2 feet (Secchi disk, 1 readings)

Border water

Shared with Canada (Ontario)

Nearest town (DNR)

International Falls

Latest DNR fish survey

July 2025, large lake survey

Surveys on record

39, since 1986

Game fish caught in the 2025 survey

yellow perch 5,763, black crappie 1,666, walleye 1,074, smallmouth bass 138, northern pike 119, sauger 43, rock bass 43, pumpkinseed 3

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, lake sturgeon, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, sauger, smallmouth bass, trout-perch, walleye, yellow perch, and 32 other species

Rainy Lake, Dove Island Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 6 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Rainy Lake, Black Bay Narrows Rainy Lake Visitor Center Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 4 docks, 40 trailer spaces, toilet, run by National Park Service

Rainy Lake, Frank Bohman Memorial Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete plank ramp, 1 dock, 25 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Rainy Lake, Tilson Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 20 trailer spaces, toilet, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Infested waters list

spiny waterflea, zebra mussel

Special regulation, 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.

Eating advice, general populations

sauger: all sizes - 1 serving/month

Size

2,000 acres or more

Deepest point

60 feet or more

Public access

Yes

Lake-specific eating advice

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota Department of Health fish consumption guidelines
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.