Minnesota
Rainy River at Manitou Rapids
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
Sunday, 3:00 PM–6:00 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
- 4210 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.04 ft
- Water Temperature
- 69.8 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 05133500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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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
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
63°F
Feels like
66°F
Wind
3 mph E
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 2:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.61 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Overcast
Temp 63°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 7 AM
Overcast
Temp 62°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 11 AM
Overcast
Temp 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 3 PM
Overcast
Temp 76°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 7 PM
Overcast
Temp 70°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 11 PM
Overcast
Temp 65°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 76°F / Low 61°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 82°F / Low 60°F
Chance 41%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 22 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 82°F / Low 62°F
Chance 94%
Precip 0.04 in
Max gust 38 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Thunderstorms
High 85°F / Low 65°F
Chance 94%
Precip 0.06 in
Max gust 38 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
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Fishing Overview
Rainy River at Manitou Rapids, Minnesota. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
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
Fishery overview
Rainy River at Manitou Rapids is the Minnesota / Ontario border walleye fishing reach at the USGS pin. StrikeTracks publishes one customer identity here (Minnesota display) from USGS 05133500 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). This is not a Great Lakes tributary and not a clone of Rainy Lake or Lake of the Woods. Wheelers Point 05137500 is not a second identity. Interstate and Ontario rules apply. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR Rainy River walleye. USGS 05133500. Not a Great Lakes tributary.
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR Rainy River pike.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR Rainy River smallmouth.
Lake Sturgeon
Acipenser fulvescens
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MNDNR Rainy River lake sturgeon. Confirm current season.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Large Rainy River at Manitou Rapids, Koochiching County, draining toward Lake of the Woods / Hudson Bay, not the Great Lakes.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by MNDNR Rainy River access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 05133500. Minnesota / Ontario border rules apply; do not imply unrestricted international access.
Stocking information
MNDNR and Ontario manage Rainy River walleye and sturgeon. Confirm current official notices on both sides.
Official sources
MNDNR and Ontario Rainy River border rules change. Distinct from Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods stillwater identities. Confirm current official regulations.
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
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