Rainy Lake vs Gilbert Pit
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 243 for Gilbert Pit. On our rankings, Rainy Lake comes out ahead for fishing, Gilbert Pit comes out ahead for swimming, Rainy Lake comes out ahead for boating, Rainy Lake comes out ahead for camping, Gilbert Pit comes out ahead for paddling, and Rainy Lake comes out ahead for ice fishing.
| Measure | Rainy Lake | Gilbert Pit |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Score | 89 / 100 | 82 / 100 |
| Nearest town | International Falls | Gilbert |
| Surface area | 210,200 acres | 243 acres |
| Max depth | 161 ft | 443 ft |
| Shoreline | 2176.3 mi | 5.8 mi |
| Water clarity | 9.2 ft | 22.8 ft |
| Public access | 7 public boat launches (concrete) | 1 public boat launch (concrete) |
| Fish species | 15 | 10 |
| Game fish | Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass | Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill |
| Stocked | No | Yes |
| Special regulations | Yes | No |
| Swim beach | Yes | Yes |
| Camping | Yes | Yes |
| Invasive species | spiny waterflea, zebra mussel | Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel |
Which lake is better for…
- FishingRainy Lake
- SwimmingGilbert Pit
- BoatingRainy Lake
- CampingRainy Lake
- PaddlingGilbert Pit
- Ice FishingRainy Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Rainy Lake or Gilbert Pit?
Rainy Lake is bigger at 210,200 acres; Gilbert Pit covers 243 acres.
Which is deeper, Rainy Lake or Gilbert Pit?
Gilbert Pit is deeper, with a maximum depth of 443 feet against 161 feet.
Is Rainy Lake or Gilbert Pit 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 Gilbert Pit lists 10.