Rainy Lake vs Burntside Lake
Two of the top-scoring lakes in St. Louis County, Minnesota, side by side.
Rainy Lake is the larger of the two at 210,200 acres against 7,314 for Burntside Lake. On our rankings, Rainy Lake comes out ahead for fishing, Burntside Lake comes out ahead for swimming, Rainy Lake comes out ahead for boating, Burntside Lake comes out ahead for camping, Burntside Lake comes out ahead for paddling, and Burntside Lake comes out ahead for ice fishing.
| Measure | Rainy Lake | Burntside Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Score | 89 / 100 | 87 / 100 |
| Nearest town | International Falls | Ely |
| Surface area | 210,200 acres | 7,314 acres |
| Max depth | 161 ft | 126 ft |
| Shoreline | 2176.3 mi | 103.5 mi |
| Water clarity | 9.2 ft | 18.1 ft |
| Public access | 7 public boat launches (concrete) | 6 public boat launches (concrete) |
| Fish species | 15 | 15 |
| Game fish | Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass | Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill |
| Stocked | No | Yes |
| Special regulations | Yes | No |
| Swim beach | Yes | Yes |
| Camping | Yes | Yes |
| Invasive species | spiny waterflea, zebra mussel | spiny waterflea |
Which lake is better for…
- FishingRainy Lake
- SwimmingBurntside Lake
- BoatingRainy Lake
- CampingBurntside Lake
- PaddlingBurntside Lake
- Ice FishingBurntside Lake
The lakes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Rainy Lake or Burntside Lake?
Rainy Lake is bigger at 210,200 acres; Burntside Lake covers 7,314 acres.
Which is deeper, Rainy Lake or Burntside Lake?
Rainy Lake is deeper, with a maximum depth of 161 feet against 126 feet.
Is Rainy Lake or Burntside Lake better for fishing?
Rainy Lake ranks higher for fishing in this directory, based on game species, lake size, access and stocking. Rainy Lake lists 15 species and Burntside Lake lists 15.