Rainy River

The Rainy River is a river that forms the border between Minnesota and Ontario for its entire length, about 90 miles according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It flows out of the west side of Rainy Lake and runs generally west-northwest between International Falls, Minnesota, and Fort Frances, Ontario, then between Baudette, Minnesota, and Rainy River, Ontario, before entering Four Mile Bay at the south end of Lake of the Woods near Wheeler's Point. A dam at International Falls generates hydroelectricity. The river belongs to the Hudson Bay drainage, reaching it through Lake of the Woods and the Winnipeg and Nelson rivers. Its Minnesota tributaries include the Big Fork, Little Fork, Black and Baudette rivers.

On the U.S. side, public accesses are administered by Koochiching County, the Minnesota DNR and the cities of International Falls and Baudette. They include Ron Hall Memorial in International Falls, Kuttes near Pelland, Upper Sault near Birchdale, Vidas east of Clementson, Timbermill Park in Baudette and Wheeler's Point near the river mouth. Manitou Rapids is a primitive carry-in site, and Upper Sault suits small boats. The Rainy River is designated as infested waters, which brings rules on bait harvest, water transport and draining water. From March 1 to April 14, walleye and sauger fishing is catch-and-release only, and gaffs are prohibited.

The river is known for spring walleye and for lake sturgeon. According to the DNR, the sturgeon population is recovering from overfishing in the early 1900s, and some fish exceed 70 inches.