Explore a voyageurs' highway
Rainy Lake is 60 miles long and 227,604 acres in size; it has 929 miles of shoreline. Only ⅓ or 36,418 acres of Rainy lake is within the boundaries of Voyageurs National Park.
Within the park, Rainy Lake has a maximum width of 12 miles, a maximum depth of 161 feet, an average depth of 35-feet and 200 islands.
Paddle through the calm waters of Voyageurs National Park, hike scenic trails surrounded by towering pines or ride snowmobiles across snowy landscapes in the winter.
- Management plan update
People interested in Rainy Lake fisheries management can share their thoughts on a draft update of the fisheries management plan for the lake through Monday, April 13. This is an opportunity to comment on the draft plan.
The management plan was last updated in 2013. It is important for this update to reflect current public values and attitudes about how the lake should be managed.
The updated plan will be used to guide management of Rainy Lake fish populations. It will include management goals, objectives and strategies for the lake for the next ten years.
Call the area fisheries office
Before calling to share your commments by Monday, April 13, please review the draft plan and consider:
- What kind of fishing experience are you looking for?
- Are there fish habitat concerns you’d like to share?
- What species of fish are most important to you?
- Do you like catching fewer big fish or a lot of smaller fish?
Webinar
Get an overview of the updated plan, which will be used to guide management of Rainy Lake. There will be opportunities to ask questions and provide comments.
- 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Monday, April 6
- Password: fish
Join by phone: 855-282-6330
Webinar number: 2488 235 5011
Password: 3474Online questionnaire
Your answers to a short questionnaire about interests, concerns and related activites will help inform the content of the Rainy Lake management plan. You'll be asked to consider these factors.
Open through Monday, April 13
Answer questionsWritten comments
Email comments
[email protected]
Mail comments by Monday, April 13, to:
International Falls Area Fisheries
Rainy Lake comments
392 Highway 11 East
International Falls, MN 56649
Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in these events, please contact Natalie Haberman at [email protected] or 651-259-5190 by Monday, March 30. Calls from Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) users are welcome.- Input group
Members
The DNR advertises available committee seats intermittently when a number have become open. In between these calls, the DNR welcomes applications on a rolling basis.
- Adam McIntyre, Koochiching County
- Ryan Logan, St. Louis County
- Karry Kyllo, Statewide Species Workgroup (Walleye)
- Jason Ellman, Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club
- Greg Williams, Rainy Lake Resort/Business Owner
- Tom Dougherty, Rainy Lake Resort/Business Owner
- Katrina Heibel, International Falls CVB
- Vacant, Local Fishing Guide
- Tom Biondich, Local Angler (non-guide)
- Wes Peterson, Local Angler (non-guide)
- Chris Parrucci, Statewide Angler
- Zach Wittl, Statewide Angler
- Aaron Shuff, Local Business Owner
Purpose
The Rainy Lake Fisheries Input Group provides input to the DNR on fisheries management activities for Rainy Lake. The group launched in 2025.
The group advises the DNR on issues that are relevant to the state’s management of Rainy Lake fisheries, including any activities that are authorized, licensed, permitted or otherwise regulated or managed by the state.
The DNR will support the group by supplying information that is used to help manage the fishery, including standard fish population assessments, creel (angler) surveys, status of invasive species or other available information requested by the group.
The group will:
- Represent the breadth of interests around Rainy Lake fisheries.
- Learn about and contribute to a shared understanding of biological, social and economic aspects of the fishery.
- Identify and communicate to DNR staff significant stakeholder issues related to the state’s management of the fishery.
- Facilitate dialogue between the public and the DNR regarding important issues.
- Provide input to advise DNR on potential approaches to respond to issues.
- Provide advice on the most effective and acceptable regulations.
During management plan revisions, it is anticipated that the group will meet three times throughout the summer and once as the plan reaches completion. Between lake management plan revisions, the group will meet annually.
Meetings
Members of the public may observe meetings but these meetings serve primarily as a way for the group to hold group discussions. Fifteen minutes are reserved for public comments and questions.
Contact & questions
- About
Rainy Lake was often called Lac La Pluie by Native Americans and translates to “mist from the falls,” which are called Kettle Falls and boast a historic hotel on the western side of Voyageurs National Park.
In 1688, French-Candian voyageur Jacques de Noyon passed through Rainy Lake and noted that it was called “Ouchichiq” by the Cree Indians. Explorer LeVerenrye called it “Tekamamihiouenne” in 1783.
The lake's major inlets are Namakan Lake, Kabetogama Lake and via the Seine River and its outflow is the Rainy River where it is harnessed to make hydroelectricity for both Canada and the United States locations.