---
type: lake
name: "Rainy Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "International Falls"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 210200
max_depth_ft: 161
latitude: 48.57548
longitude: -92.98921
lake_score: 89
dnr_lake_id: "69069400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/rainy-lake
---

# Rainy Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near International Falls

- **Surface Area**: 210,200 acres
- **Max Depth**: 161 ft
- **Average Depth**: 32 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2176.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 7 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 89/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Canada

## About

Rainy Lake is a 210,200-acre lake near International Falls in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 161 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 32 feet, and has roughly 2176.3 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in St. Louis County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.2 feet. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye and sauger, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 7 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and National Park Service. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Riverside Court and Rainy Lake RV are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around May 4, based on 107 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 7 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, National Park Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **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.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Fishing Pier, Picnic Area, Marina

### Campgrounds

- Riverside Court
- Rainy Lake RV
- The Lakeview RV Sites and Cabins
- Lyle Mine Island

## Fish Species

Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Longnose Sucker, Rainbow Smelt, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: May 4
- **Years of record**: 107
- **Earliest**: 2012-04-06
- **Latest**: 1950-05-22

## Nearby Lakes

- [Locator Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/locator-lake) - 2.7 miles, 133 acres
- [Shoepack Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/shoepack-lake) - 7.2 miles, 299 acres
- [Lake Kabetogama](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/lake-kabetogama) - 7.7 miles, 24,034 acres
- [Cruiser Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/cruiser-lake) - 10 miles, 118 acres
- [Peary Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/peary-lake) - 10.6 miles, 116 acres
- [Rat Root Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/koochiching-county/rat-root-lake) - 14.5 miles, 734 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.57548,-92.98921)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69069400)
- [All lakes in St. Louis County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/rainy-lake)*