Rainy Lake Fishing Guide | Rainy Lake Outfitter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(French: lac à la Pluie) is a relatively large lake (345 sq mi or 894 km²) that straddles the border between the United States and Canada. The Rainy River issues from the west side of the lake and is used to make hydroelectricity in the US city of International Falls, which is situated at the outflow of the river from the lake along with its sister town on the Canadian side, Fort Frances, making the river the boundary between the two countries. Voyageurs National Park is located on the southeastern corner of the lake where it connects with Kabetogama and Namakan Lakes. Rainy Lake is part of an extremely large system of lakes stretching from the Great Lakes north to the Arctic Ocean. The levels of these lakes are regulated by the International Joint Commission (IJC). The IJC was founded as a result of the International Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 and is an independent international body. Rainy Lake is important in governing water levels because of the hydroelectric dam situated near the town of International Falls, Minnesota.

Excellent Freshwater Sportfishing

The lake is currently a hot spot for sport and recreational fishing of fish such as Walleye, Northern pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, which are all considered excellent freshwater sportfish. Rainy Lake is home to the Canadian Bass Championship, which has occurred every summer since 1996. The lake is dotted with many small islands on both the Canadian and American sides that contain numerous fishing cabins, small fishing resorts, and vacation homes, making tourism an important part of the local economy.

Rainy River Fishing

(French: Rivière à la Pluie) is a river, approximately 85 mi (140 km), that forms part of the U.S.-Canada border separating northern Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario.

It issues from the west side of Rainy Lake (French: lac à la Pluie) and flows generally west-northwest, between International Falls, Minnesota and Fort Frances, Ontario, and between Baudette, Minnesota and Rainy River, Ontario. It enters the southern end of Lake of the Woods approximately 12 mi (19 km) northwest of Baudette. It is used for hydroelectricity at International Falls. The town of Rainy River, Ontario was named after the river.

The drainage basin of the river stretches east to the height of land about 100 kilometres (60 miles) west of Lake Superior, where it was the southeast corner of the huge tract of land granted to the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1670. It ultimately drains through the Winnipeg River, Lake Winnipeg and the Nelson River into Hudson Bay.

The Baudette-Rainy River International Bridge and the Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge both cross the Rainy River.