Minnesota · DNR survey data
Cottonwood Lake
Cottonwood Lake covers 133 acres in Itasca County, running to 42 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2013. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassJust a few18per hr (electrofishing)10"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 41 fish
Northern pikeFair numbers9.5per gill net21"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 38 fish
BluegillFair numbers29.8per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 180 fish
CrappieJust a few7.3per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 105 fish
Yellow perchExcellent numbers18per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 87 fish
Rock bassExcellent numbers1.7per trap net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
Recent reports
Cottonwood Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Cottonwood Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Cottonwood Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Island Lake · 285 ac · 1.2 mi
- Moose Lake · 1,273 ac · 2.3 mi
- Little Moose Lake · 289 ac · 2.3 mi
- Orange Lake · 104 ac · 3.7 mi
- Kremer Lake · 78 ac · 3.7 mi
- Lucky Lake · 14 ac · 3.8 mi
- Deer Lake · 4,094 ac · 4 mi
- Long Lake · 46 ac · 4.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Cottonwood Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Cottonwood Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Cottonwood Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2013) recorded largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Does Cottonwood Lake have a public access?
Yes. Cottonwood Lake has one public access site: Cottonwood Lake (trailer launch).
Is Cottonwood Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Cottonwood Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
When was Cottonwood Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Cottonwood Lake in 2013, the most recent of 4 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .