Frequently Asked Questions - Rainy Lake

How do I get to the Lake?

From International Falls, MN: From the corner of U.S. Highway 53 and 4th St. in International Falls, proceed 9.8 miles east on Highway 11. Turn left on County Rd. 138 just after the Gold Shores Drive/Rainy Lake Houseboat signs. Proceed 3/10 mile to Utility Road 488, turn right, travel straight ahead 8/10 of a mile to the marina!

Click here to see a map and directions for Rainy Lake.

When do I pick up the boat?

The boats can be picked up between 11 am to 1 pm.

How many people are allowed on the boat?

Maximum capacity on any of the houseboats is 12 people.

What will the temperatures be like on my trip?

Spring is brisk and cool without being too chilly, a good time for walleye (for the fishermen among you). Summer is warm and comfortable, but not hot, and fall is the absolute best time for anglers. The changing leaves on the trees are gorgeous, and again, it is not too cold. View a month-by-month list of temperatures here.

How difficult is driving a houseboat?

Driving a houseboat is different than driving a car, but is not that difficult. The marina staff will walk you through driving the boat when you pick it up. Most people get the hand of maneuvering the boat within a few minutes.

If you’re concerned about your ability to handle the boat, you may arrange for a captain to guide you out of the marina or drive you to a specific destination on the lake.

What is the billing schedule?

The damage deposit on the boat is due at the time of reservation. Your full rental amount is due upon arrival.

How do I check availability or reserve a houseboat?

Give us a call at 888-454-8825, and one of our reservation agents will be happy to check availability for you. It’s helpful if you already have an idea of when you want to go and what boat you’re most interested in when you call.

Alternatively, you can contact us online with your availability request, and one of our agents will be happy to get back to you with the information you need.

How early do I need to reserve?

Rainy Lake is a very popular lake. The earlier the better is a good rule to follow, particularly if you have an exact date in mind for your trip, or if you’re planning a trip over a holiday weekend.

However, if you’re flexible with your dates or the exact houseboat model, we can almost always find a trip for you even a few weeks before hand.

Where is the nearest grocery store so I can stock up before my trip?

There’s SuperOne and a SuperValu grocery stores in International Falls, MN. Alternatively, you can preorder groceries with the marina. The marina will deliver the groceries to your houseboat just before you arrive.

How old do you have to be to rent the houseboats?

All renters must be 21 with a valid drivers license.

Do I need a license to operate the houseboats, or is a skipper provided?

There is no special license needed to operate our houseboats. There are rules for operating houseboats on the waterways, and we will explain them to you upon your arrival.

Will I get seasick on a houseboat?

Houseboats are on pontoons and there is very little motion. Seasickness is basically unheard of on fresh water.

Where can I sleep before and after my trip? How’s lodging?

Lodging is readily available in International Falls, MN. Further, there are lodges and fishing cabins scattered around the massive lake.

What does a guide do?

There are two types of guides, a spot guide and a fishing guide. A spot guide is someone who travels along with you and gets you more comfortable with the operation of the boats. You will do the driving, but he will assist with reading the charts and finding a good tie-up spot. The charge varies, average cost is around $50.00. For most guests, the briefing given ahead of time is enough, but some first time guests choose to take a spot guide.

A fishing guide will come out and fish with you for the day. He will come out to your boat between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. and usually fish until about 4:30 p.m. The cost is $285/day plus fuel, bait and tackle. He can have two or three people fishing in his boat. There is no problem with having your own boats follow along. He will go over the charts and give suggestions for other areas to fish. If you have a fishing guide scheduled, make sure you let the marina know on the radio where you are parked so he can find you in the morning. You would probably wish to schedule a fishing guide on the 2nd day of your trip as the first is a travel, get settled day.

Can I fish from the houseboat?

You can, and you’ll want to. Rainy Lake is the site of the Canadian Bass Championship and small and largemouth bass both are certainly present here. Other popular and prolific species in the lake include walleye, northern pike and muskellunge.