Minnesota Vacations | Family Fun in the Rainy Lake International Falls Area
  • Lodging
    • Vacation Rentals
    • Resorts, Cabins, B&Bs
    • Hotels & Motels
    • Houseboats
  • Things to Do
  • Attractions
    • Voyageurs National Park
    • Rainy Lake
    • Rainy River
    • Guides & Outfitter Services >
      • resorts from old fishing page
    • Fishing On Rainy River
    • ATV & Snowmobiling
    • Hiking & Biking
    • Golfing
Send More Info

Fishing and Exploring Rainy River, Minnesota

8/17/2018

Comments

 
rainy river mn
Exploring Rainy River
The Rainy River forms part of the border between Minnesota and Ontario and is a haven for anglers and boaters of all stripes. Perhaps best known for fishing, the river is one of the world’s top destinations for premiere walleye fishing each spring and is also home to other game fish. In addition to anglers, canoers and kayakers enjoy Rainy River’s numerous access points along its 85-mile route, and its many resorts provide a welcome rest regardless of the day’s activities.
​

The Route
Flowing from approximately the west end of Rainy Lake and the communities of International Falls, MN and Fort Frances, ON, the river travels west-northwest to Baudette, MN, and Rainy River, ON, then enters Four Mile Bay on Lake of the Woods.  


Rainy River’s watershed is largely forested and composed of peatland and bogs that were part of Lake Agassiz 10,000 years ago. In the past, its waters were used by fur traders, lumber mills and commercial fishing boats.  

River Fishing
Rainy River is counted among the finest fishing destinations in America. Each spring, resident walleyes flood the waterway, offering anglers the chance to land a “lunker.” The early fishing season runs approximately early March through mid-April (check the MN DNR website for exact dates each year). Though walleye is the river’s premier gamefish species, anglers also target sturgeon, smallmouth bass and northern pike. Notable Rainy River catches include a 35.1-inch walleye (released) and a 100-plus pound sturgeon (also released).  
​

Because Rainy River is between the U.S. and Canada, anglers who plan to fish the Canadian side of the river must have a valid Ontario fishing license, as well as an Outdoors Card and a Remote Area Border Crossing permit.

U.S. Rainy River Access Points
Multiple access points mean options abound for exploring Rainy River. Camping is not allowed at the following boat launch sites unless otherwise noted.
  • Ron Hall Memorial Access in International Falls is on Shorewood Drive and includes a parking area across the street.
  • Kuttes Landing is just east of the junction of Highway 71 and Highway 11 at Pelland.
  • Reedy Flats Access is on the south side of State Highway 11, along the Bigfork River.
  • Black River Access is in Loman. Camping is available in authorized areas of the park.
  • Manitou Rapids Access is approximately 34 miles east of Baudette on Highway 11, or about ½ mile west of the Indus School. The primitive boat access is appropriate for boats that can be carried or transported on the marked trail with an ATV. The site includes ample shore fishing areas.
  • Upper Sault Access is near Franze Jevne Park at the end of Koochiching County Road 85, just east of Birchdale. This ramp is best suited to small boats.
  • Nelson Park – Birchdale north of Birchdale on Koochiching County Road UT 118, which runs from State Highway 11 to Nelson Park. The site includes with a double ramp, and camping is allowed in designated areas.
  • Frontier Access is approximately 17 miles east of Baudette along State Highway 11.
  • Vidas Access is 1.5 miles east of Clementson at the end of Koochiching County Road UT 392. Signs have been installed to direct traffic and reduce congestion.
  • Baudette Access in Timbermill Park includes a boat access with a double ramp and is located near the City Park, on the east edge of Baudette. No camping is allowed at the access, however, camping is allowed in authorized areas of the City Park.
  • Wheeler’s Point Access is located 12 miles north of Baudette on State Highway 172, near the mouth of the Rainy River and includes a boat dock and triple ramp.
Comments
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Keep Up With Rainy Lake!

    Subscribe

    Plan Your Trip!

    Planning Guide
    Minnesota Family Vacations
    Picture

    Learn More:

    All
    Activities
    ADA Accessible
    Arrowhead Ultra
    ATV Trails
    Aurora Borealis
    Bass Championship
    Bass Fishing
    Bike Trail
    Birding
    Birding Challenge
    Birds Of Rainy Lake
    Black Bay
    Boat
    Boat Tours
    Bogs
    Border
    Bucking Bronco
    Bushman Family Island Cabin
    Business Launch
    Camping
    Camps
    Canada
    Cancer Run
    Canoeing
    Casa Loma
    Celebration
    City Beach
    Contest
    Cranberry Bay
    Crappie
    Cross Country Ski
    Cross Country Skiing
    Earth Day
    Events
    Fall
    Family Activities
    Family Vacation
    Featured
    February Vacation
    Find Your Sunset
    Fireworks
    Fishing
    Fishing Opener
    Fishing Regulations
    Fishing Report
    Fishing With Kids
    Fourth Of July Festivities
    Golfing
    Grouse
    Guided Tours
    Hiking
    Houseboats
    Houseboat Vacation
    Hunting
    Icebox Days
    Ice Fishing
    Ice Skating
    Independence Day Fireworks
    International Falls
    International Falls Bass Championship
    Jackfish Bay
    Kettle Falls
    Koochiching County
    Kuttes Landing
    Lake
    Lake Fishing
    Lake House
    Lake Vacation
    Latest News
    Lodging
    Minnesota
    Minnesota Fishing
    Minnesota Hiking
    Minnesota Lakes
    Minnesota Vacations
    Mom
    Mothers Day
    Motorcycle
    MPR News
    New Business
    Northernaire House Boat
    Northern Lights
    Northern Pike
    Onlyinmn
    Packing List
    Preservation
    Rainier Minnesota
    Rainy Lake
    Rainy Lake Activities
    Rainy Lake Facts
    Rainy Lake Houseboat
    Rainy Lake Sunset
    Rainy River
    Ranier
    Ranier News
    Raptors
    Reports
    River Fishing
    Road Trip
    Rocks
    Romantic Vacation
    Sites To See
    Ski
    Skol Chant
    Smallmouth Bass
    Smokey Bear Park
    Snowmobile
    Snowshoe
    Snowshoeing
    Spring
    Spring Traditions
    Sturgeon
    Tag Season
    Things To Do
    Tilson Bay
    Tips For Fishing
    Tips & Tricks
    Tour Boat
    Trail Conditions
    Trees
    Vacation
    Vacation Homes
    Videos
    Voyageurs National Park
    Walleye
    What Do Do
    What To Do
    Winter
    Winter Activities
    Yacht Club

    RSS Feed

MINNESOTA VACATIONS:

Subscribe to Our
​Adventures
Voyageurs Lodging
Rainy Lake Lodging
Maps and Trails
Rainy Lake Activities
Plan your Minnesota Vacation
Minnesota Vacations Blog
Fishing Reports
Explore Minnesota
International Falls, Rainy Lake and Ranier Convention and Visitors Bureau
301 2nd Avenue
International Falls, MN 56649

218-283-9401
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
Saturday-Sunday Closed

Select photography by Kallie Kantos
© Rainy Lake All Rights Reserved 2017-2018 Admin | Waking Girl Web Design
  • Lodging
    • Vacation Rentals
    • Resorts, Cabins, B&Bs
    • Hotels & Motels
    • Houseboats
  • Things to Do
  • Attractions
    • Voyageurs National Park
    • Rainy Lake
    • Rainy River
    • Guides & Outfitter Services >
      • resorts from old fishing page
    • Fishing On Rainy River
    • ATV & Snowmobiling
    • Hiking & Biking
    • Golfing
Send More Info