Rainy Lake
Locations
Canada > Ontario
USA > Midwest > Minnesota
Rainy Lake: Description
Rainy Lake forms a portion of the border between the USA and Canada, near International Falls and Ranier, Minnesota. It is a water sports lover's paradise.
Rainy Lake's sprawling 221,000 acres (345 sq. miles) of surface water lap against 929 miles of exterior shoreline, with another 635 miles of shoreline around its 1600 islands. 25% of its surface (54,000 acres) is located within the US border; 75% is within Canada. Camping, anyone?
Voyageurs National Park is the chief recreation area, offering boat tours, houseboat, canoe and kayak rentals, hiking, camping, swimming and fishing. Access to the park and camping permits are both free.
Regarded as one of the most scenic fishing destinations in the USA - and one of the world's top multi-species fisheries, Rainy lake boasts large populations of northern pike, black crappie, walleye, sauger and smallmouth bass. In 2006, this glacier-formed lake was, for the third time, the site of the prestigious Governor's Fishing Opener, attracting anglers both pro and amateur.
Area lodging choices include numerous resorts, hotels and motels, both upscale and basic. The Visitor's Bureau can help find just the lodging to suit any visitor's preference. Two other lakes - Kabetogama and Namakan - adjoin Rainy Lake, and the 80-mile-long Rainy River provides a connection to Lake of the Woods.
Rainy Lake is a natural lake but now has dams in both the USA and Canada. The dam on the US side was completed in 1909.
[Statistics were provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Mar/22/08.]
Rainy Lake: Statistics
- Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed
- Water level control: Boise Cascade (USA); Abitibi Corp. (Canada)
- Area: 221,000 acres
- Shoreline length: 929 miles
- Normal elevation: 1,108 feet
- Minimum elevation: 1,105 feet
- Maximum elevation: 1,109 feet
- Maximum depth: 161 feet
- Completion year: 1909
- Population: 20,000
- Trophic state: Mesotrophic
