Rainy

Cass County

Near Backus

DOW: 11035600

Northern PikeGood · 69PumpkinseedGood · 68BluegillGood · 59

A 129-acre lake near Backus in Cass County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1987.

Fish Species (13)

Northern Pike

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.85 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 4.8–12.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	6.00	-	2.85 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1982	2.50	-	4.74 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1982	0.67	-	4.75 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 68

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.24 lbs

Catch rate: 5.7 per trap net · typical 2.8–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	2.25	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 1987	5.71	-	0.24 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 9, 1982	0.50	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Good · 59

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 61.7 per trap net · typical 8.3–50.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	19.00	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 1987	61.71	-	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 9, 1982	41.83	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.14 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	1.25	-	2.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1982	1.50	-	1.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1982	0.33	-	2.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Average · 48

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 1.6 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	2.00	-	0.24 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 1987	1.57	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 9, 1982	0.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 47

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.36 lbs

Catch rate: 0.71 per trap net · typical 0.8–4.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	0.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 1987	0.71	-	0.36 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 9, 1982	3.00	-	0.41 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 47

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.74 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	2.25	-	0.74 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 1987	2.14	-	0.29 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 9, 1982	1.75	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 44

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 4.8 per gill net · typical 2–21.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	4.75	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1982	0.17	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 9, 1982	13.25	-	0.16 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Average · 40

Typical numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.57 lbs

Catch rate: 0.43 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	0.43	-	0.57 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (4)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Good · 71

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.28 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	1.50	-	3.28 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1982	1.50	-	2.33 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 1976	1.75	-	2.69 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 56

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.75 lbs

Catch rate: 2.4 per trap net · typical 2.1–10.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	11.50	-	0.06 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 1987	2.43	-	0.75 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 9, 1982	1.75	-	0.36 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.63 lbs

Catch rate: 1.7 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1987	0.25	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1982	1.67	-	0.63 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 1976	0.14	-	0.80 lbs	Standard trap nets

Golden Shiner

Poor · 20

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1976

Last surveyed 1976 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 0.14 per trap net · typical 0.1–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 1976	0.14	-	0.05 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

July 7, 1987The fish population does not seem to have changed appreciably since the lake survey done in 1962. The bulk of the fish biomass is still predominantly…

The fish population does not seem to have changed appreciably since the lake survey done in 1962. The bulk of the fish biomass is still predominantly centrarchids, with bluegills, black crappies, and largemouth bass being the most sought-after fish by sportsmen. Looking at the age and growth data, it can be seen that the centrarchids exhibit excellent natural reproduction but growth rates differ with bluegills and black crappies' growth being relatively slow and largemouth bass being good. The northern pike population is well structured with good natural reproduction and growth. Rainy Lake should supply excellent fishing for northern pike of quality size. The walleye population is low. Some natural reproduction occurs. In the 1976, 1982, and 1987 surveys, walleye populations have remained low even with substantial fry and fingerling stocking. The 1962 survey shows a good population of walleye and still the walleye fishing was rated as poor. White sucker, yellow and brown bullhead are also present in Rainy Lake.

August 9, 1982Excellent fish population status for largemouth bass. Fair population status for northern pike, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, white sucker, brown bullhea…

Excellent fish population status for largemouth bass. Fair population status for northern pike, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, white sucker, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead and black crappie. Good population status for bluegill and poor for walleye and rock bass.Reports of a few small walleye caught. Walleye scale aging indicates fingerling stocking survival fair. Management recommendations are to stock one pound of walleye fingerlings per litteral acre every third year. Test net in 1987 to evaluate walleye fingerling stocking.

July 14, 1976Crappie and sunfish appear to be stunted.No evidence of the 1972 and 1974 walleye fry stocking survival.Stocking of northern pike to control sunfish p…

Crappie and sunfish appear to be stunted.No evidence of the 1972 and 1974 walleye fry stocking survival.Stocking of northern pike to control sunfish populations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Rainy?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Walleye, and Rock Bass in Rainy. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Rainy?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Rainy. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Rainy?

Rainy has a maximum depth of 29 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Rainy last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Rainy is from 1987. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.