Minnesota
Rainy River at Manitou Rapids
Location Snapshot
Rainy River at Manitou Rapids is an international-border mainstem fishery in northern Minnesota, distinct from Great Lakes tributary fisheries farther east. Walleye are the primary supported target, with smallmouth bass, northern pike, and lake sturgeon adding substantial large-river variety.
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Thursday, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 6570 CFS
- Gage Height
- 3.4 ft
- Water Temperature
- 52 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 21, 2026, 12:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 05133500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
56°F
Feels like
50°F
Wind
7 mph S
Wind gust
17 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 8:15 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 9 PM
Overcast
Temp 55°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Wed 1 AM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Wed 5 AM
Clear
Temp 47°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Wed 9 AM
Clear
Temp 47°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Wed 1 PM
Clear
Temp 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Wed 5 PM
Clear
Temp 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 67°F / Low 32°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 23 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 59°F / Low 41°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 24 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Clear
High 66°F / Low 36°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 28 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Drizzle
High 71°F / Low 52°F
Chance 49%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 37 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
The Rainy River is a Lake of the Woods fishery in the area Minnesota describes from Baudette.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Rainy River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Lake Sturgeon
Acipenser fulvescens
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Popper-style surface flyGeneral warmwater surface family. Not an insect Hatch event.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral warmwater streamer family. Not a baitfish Hatch event.
- Crayfish-style flyGeneral subsurface family. Crayfish forage is not a Hatch insect.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Koochiching, Minnesota
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Koochiching
Management Category
International mixed river
Regulation Scope
Rainy River at Manitou Rapids.
Regulation Summary
Rainy River at Manitou Rapids: interstate / international border-water rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
walleye, smallmouth-bass, northern-pike, lake-sturgeon
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…