Rainy River Fishing
Koochiching County, Cook County and Lake of the Woods County.
Pick for muskellungePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Rainy River in numbers
Minnesota anglers fish the Rainy River, a river of Koochiching County, Cook County and Lake of the Woods County. The DNR route line covers close to 129 miles. For minnows and gas, Baudette is about 26 miles away.
Muskellunge are managed in it, per the DNR layer. USGS runs 4 active gauges on it. The access list holds 11 public accesses.
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| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Rainy River At Voyageur Wy International Falls, Mn | 18.65 ft gage height | Nov 13 10:00 am |
| Rainy R At Boat Landing Blw International Falls,mn | 9,860 cfs, 18.92 ft gage height | Nov 13 10:00 am |
| Rainy River At Manitou Rapids, Mn | 17,600 cfs, 8.10 ft gage height | Nov 13 9:30 am |
| Rainy River Near Boat Landing At Wheelers Point,mn | 25,600 cfs, 4.93 ft gage height | Oct 22 12:15 pm Not updated since Oct 22, 2018. |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 10:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Reaching the Rainy River by boat
- Rainy River, Pat Roche Sr. Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Koochiching County, river mile 83.5
- Rainy River, Ron Hall Memorial Landing Access1 ramp, 25 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Koochiching County, river mile 79.7
- Rainy River, Manitou Rapids Access1 ramp, toilet, Koochiching County, river mile 46.6
- Rainy River, Upper Sault Access1 ramp, Koochiching County, river mile 39.8
- Birchdale Lake, #3 Access2 ramps, 18 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Koochiching County, river mile 37.6
- Rainy River, Loman Park Access1 ramp, 24 trailer stalls, Koochiching County, river mile 30.6
- Rainy River, Vidas Access2 ramps, 14 trailer stalls, Koochiching County, river mile 20.1
- Rainy River, Timber Mill City Park Access2 ramps, 30 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Lake of the Woods County, river mile 11.5
- Rainy River, Ship's Wheel Access1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Lake of the Woods County, river mile 3.4
- Rainy River, Wheeler's Point Access3 ramps, 50 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, Lake of the Woods County, river mile 0.3
- Rainy River, Baudette Bay Access1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Lake of the Woods County, river mile 0.2
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Booklet rules for the Rainy River
Every limit on the Rainy River is in the table below.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Beyond the shore of Rainy River
Minnow buckets filled near Rainy River
- Steve's Lucky Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Baudette, 24 miles
Guides working Rainy River
- Adrian's Resortice and open water guide / outfitter, Lake of the Woods, (218) 634-1985
- Ballard's Resortice and open water guide / outfitter, Lake of the Woods, (800) 776-2675
- Bayview Lodgeice and open water guide / outfitter, Lake of the Woods, (800) 652-2194
- Border View Lodgeice and open water guide / outfitter, Lake of the Woods, (800) 776-3474
- Lake of the Woods Outdoorsmanice and open water guide / outfitter, Lake of the Woods, (218) 280-1674
- Lakeroad Lodge & Motelice and open water guide / outfitter, Lake of the Woods, (866) 634-2336
- Rainy River Resortice and open water guide / outfitter, Lake of the Woods, (218) 634-2258
- River Bend Resortice and open water guide / outfitter, Lake of the Woods, (800) 292-3084
Towns within an easy drive of Rainy River
- Baudette26 miles
- Littlefork28 miles
- International Falls29 miles
- Ranier31 miles
Streams neighboring the Rainy River
- Black River12 miles
- Silver Creek, Lake of the Woods County20 miles
- Rapid River30 miles
- Wabanica Creek32 miles
Counties that Rainy River reaches
Four Piscifun picks for the Rainy River
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Fish to look for at Rainy River
Photo: Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US, Public domain
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Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
Reader questions on the Rainy River
How do I drive to the Rainy River?
Through Koochiching County, Cook County and Lake of the Woods County.
May I keep trout from the Rainy River?
No; it carries no trout designation.
Where can I check discharge on the Rainy River?
There are 4 USGS gauges, listed above.
Which accesses reach the Rainy River?
The DNR layer lists 11 public accesses; Rainy River, Vidas Access is one.
Are there special DNR rules on the Rainy River?
Only statewide limits.
Is a stamp needed on the Rainy River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Who sells leeches near the Rainy River?
Steve's Lucky Bait Inc, about 24 miles away.
Which Minnesota town makes a base for the Rainy River?
Baudette, some 26 miles off by air.
Which species does the Rainy River hold?
Species are not on file for it.
Work the Rainy River
Buy the license and stamp online before the trip.