It’s a fishing day

Rainy Lake (International Falls) fishing conditions · Minnesota

Now until 7 pmWalleye

The bite peaks at 59. Wind builds to 20 mph out of the west by tonight at 2:00 am.

Log a trip here
Right now: 55 for walleye, marginal · inside the best windowTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Walleye, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 553 pm
  2. 59
  3. 55
  4. 556 pm
  5. 41
  6. 41
  7. 419 pm
  8. 41
  9. 45
  10. 45Sun
  11. 41
  12. 18
  13. 183 am
  14. 18
  15. 18
  16. 186 am
  17. 45
  18. 41
  19. 419 am
  20. 41
  21. 45
  22. 4512 pm
  23. 41
  24. 41
  25. 413 pm
  26. 45
  27. 41
  28. 416 pm
  29. 31
  30. 31
  31. 319 pm
  32. 31
  33. 45
  34. 45Mon
  35. 41
  36. 41
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now · best window

Water
No reading

Walleye range 50–72°

Wind
10 mph

From the southwest

Light
Daylight

Sunset 4:44 pm

Sky
Mostly Cloudy

No rain expected

Air
50°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Minnesota regulations for these waters.

Walleye

Walleye

Sander vitreus

59MarginalNow until 7 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Walleye bite in 50–72° water, best near 62°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Walleye feeds aggressively in low light. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

4 a day

Release 18–26".

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 8 walleye and sauger a day, no more than 4 walleye; walleye from 18 to 26" must be released and only 1 over 26" kept. Open to Apr 14.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Rainy Lake (border water)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Jun, Sep–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on walleye

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

47Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Smallmouth bass bite in 55–78° water, best near 68°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Smallmouth bass is here May–Oct. Holds 3–30 ft down.

Keep

6 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 6 bass a day combined, open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Canada–Minnesota border waters

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on smallmouth bass

Muskellunge

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

47Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Muskellunge bite in 55–78° water, best near 68°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Muskellunge is here Jun–Sep. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

54" minimum · 1 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Minnesota: 54" minimum, 1 a day. Season is the first Saturday in June through Nov 30 (Jun 5–Nov 30, 2027).

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Minnesota

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Jun–Sep, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on muskellunge

Crappie

Crappie

Pomoxis spp.

47Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Crappie bite in 50–80° water, best near 65°.

Why

Sharp 3-hour fall — fish feed hard ahead of a front. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Crappie is here May–Oct. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

10 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Minnesota: 10 crappie a day, open all year. Many lakes cut it to 5.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Minnesota

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on crappie

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer29.73 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today4:44 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow7:09 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 3:10 pm–4:10 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 10:10 pm–12:10 am
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 6:30 am–7:30 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Minnesota DNR publishes a report for the state.

Licenses and rules: state fishery agencies · fish-consumption advisory

About this spot

A sprawling border lake at International Falls draining into Voyageurs National Park — clear, rocky water holding trophy smallmouth bass, walleye, muskellunge, and crappie. A wilderness multi-species fishery reached from International Falls and the park.

Canada–Minnesota border water: 8 walleye and sauger a day, no more than 4 walleye. Walleye from 18 to 26" must be released, and only 1 over 26" kept. Walleye season runs to Apr 14.

Nearby

The closest public spots we cover, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Lake Vermilion62 mi · MinnesotaBest now until 7 pm
65Marginal
Lake of the Woods (Zippel Bay)80 mi · MinnesotaBest now until 7 pm
82Worth the trip
Leech Lake115 mi · MinnesotaBest now until 7 pm
82Worth the trip
Mille Lacs Lake164 mi · MinnesotaBest now until 7 pm
100Go
Lake Minnetonka254 mi · MinnesotaBest now until 7 pm
100Go
Devils Lake (Grahams Island State Park)268 mi · North DakotaBest tomorrow 6 am–7 pm
68Marginal

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Rainy Lake (International Falls)?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Rainy Lake (International Falls) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Rainy Lake (International Falls)?

Rainy Lake (International Falls) is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Crappie. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Rainy Lake (International Falls)?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Rainy Lake (International Falls) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Rainy Lake (International Falls) have?

Rainy Lake (International Falls) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Canada–Minnesota border water: 8 walleye and sauger a day, no more than 4 walleye. Walleye from 18 to 26" must be released, and only 1 over 26" kept. Walleye season runs to Apr 14.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Rainy Lake (International Falls)?

state agency regulations apply at Rainy Lake (International Falls). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Rainy Lake (International Falls) tidal water?

No. Rainy Lake (International Falls) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.