Cottonwood

Cottonwood Lake is a small shallow lake, 155 acres and 11 feet max depth, located in the City of Windom in Cottonwood County. While there are many concerns about water quality and water quantity in Cottonwood Lake, the lake remains resilient and has some decent fishing at times. Cottonwood Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch and Largemouth Bass. Cottonwood Lake was surveyed the week of August 19, 2024, to monitor fish populations using 3 gill nets and 9 trap nets. WALLEYE The 2024 Walleye gill net catch rate of 3.7 per net was within the expected range for similar lakes (2.3 to 18.0 per net) but a decrease from 4.7 per gill net in 2020 and below Cottonwood Lake's long-term average of 5.7 per gill net. Walleye in the gill net sample ranged in length from 12.9 to 22.9 inches and averaged 15.0 inches. Thirty Walleye were captured in the trap net sample and ranged in length from 13.3 to 24.5 inches with an average of 13.3 inches. The trap net catch was the greatest since 2002. Aging otoliths from gill net fish revealed only 2 different year classes of Walleye with nine 2-year-old fish and two 6-year-old fish. Weights relative to a typical population were fair indicating a population of fish that are finding enough prey to maintain a decent but sleek body shape. A recent management change from stocking any size Walleye when available to annual fry stocking has shown some good progress. The 2022 and 2023 year-classes were very well represented in gill nets (2022) and trap nets (2023) and should result in good numbers of harvestable size fish over the next several years. Anglers are starting to report some 14-to-15-inch Walleye becoming more abundant in their catch. Walleye angling could become more consistent in Cottonwood Lake with annual fry stocking and excellent productivity. BLACK CRAPPIE Black Crappie relative abundance is up in Cottonwood Lake with 5.7 per gill net and 38.4 per trap net in 2024. Gill net and trap net catch rates increased from 2020 to 2024 and the trap net catch rate is the greatest ever recorded. The expected catch rate range for Black Crappie in similar lakes is 1.2 to 20.5 per trap net with a long-term lake specific average of 18.1 per trap net indicating how unusually high the 2024 catch rate is. Size of Black Crappie in the gill net and trap net samples were also very good with a PSD-Q of 96 and a PSD-P of 1. Black Crappie ranged in length from 8.2 to 10.4 inches with an average of 8.4 inches in gill nets and 8.6 inches in trap nets. Overall, 17% of Black Crappie in the sample were over 9 inches. Typically, growth of Black Crappie is fast in southwest Minnesota, and if the Cottonwood Lake population follows the regional growth trend many 10 inch, or larger, Black Crappie will be present. The health of Black Crappie was excellent, leading to optimism for fast growth. The Black Crappie population will provide an excellent angling opportunity over the next several years and could become the major draw for anglers at Cottonwood Lake. BLUEGILL Bluegill relative abundance has fluctuated widely from a low of 1.0 per trap net in 2016 to 26.0 per trap net in 2020 with a long-term catch average of 7.4 per trap net. The 2024 catch rate was 2.3 per trap net which is within the expected catch rate range for similar lakes (1.2 to 20.0 per trap net) but below the long-term average. Lengths of Bluegill ranged from 3.8 to 8.4 inches and averaged 5.8 inches (PSD-Q=38 and PSD-P=19). Health of Bluegill in the sample was excellent. Bluegill continue to be an excellent member of the fish community and an aggressive sunfish for anglers to target. YELLOW PERCH Yellow Perch were caught at typical relative abundances for gill nets and trap nets in 2024. The gill net catch rate was 9.7 per net, within the expected catch rate range (2.7 to 25.0 per trap net) but less than the long-term average of 18.9 per trap net. The trap net catch rate was 1.0 per net, also within the expected catch rate range (0.3 to 3.8 per trap net) and less than the long-term average of 1.5 per net. Length of Yellow Perch in the gill nets and trap nets ranged from 5.6 to 10.7 inches with an average length of 8.5 inches in gill nets and trap nets. Health of Yellow Perch in the sample was excellent indicating fish are finding ample prey abundance. Yellow Perch angling could be good over the next several years, and their decent relative abundance will help provide prey for other gamefish. OTHER SPECIES One Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass were sampled in 2024. However, Largemouth Bass and now Smallmouth Bass are both residents of Cottonwood Lake. Largemouth Bass have a long history as members of the fish community while Smallmouth Bass are a recent introduction. Smallmouth Bass were not stocked by the Department of Natural Resources, they were most likely illegally introduced by bucket stocking from a nearby lake that does have a population of Smallmouth Bass. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are large enough to provide an additional angling opportunity (as large as 18 inches in 2020), but their low numbers may make them difficult to catch. However, each species appears to be sustaining itself via natural reproduction. The Black Bullhead catch rate was 28.33 per gill net, which was the lowest recorded catch rate ever observed, and the first time it has ever been lower than the expected catch rate range for similar lakes (30.3 to 150.6 per gill net). Black bullheads averaged 8.4 inches long in gill nets and 8.9 inches in trap nets indicating a population that is skewed toward larger, older fish. The Channel Catfish Catch rate was 5.7 per gill net, which is the second highest ever recorded. Channel Catfish ranged from 10.9 to 18.5 inches and averaged 16.3 inches in gill nets and 21.9 inches in trap nets. Other species sampled included Common Carp, Northern Pike, Orangespotted Sunfish, White Sucker, and Pumpkinseed. Of those, Northern Pike were the most notable. Some larger Northern Pike are present with harvest potential above the 24-inch, 2-fish-daily bag limit for southern Minnesota. In 2024, 7 Northern Pike were caught in gill nets and trap nets ranging in length from 14.4 to 31.7 inches. Northern Pike may not be what brings people to fish Cottonwood Lake, but they certainly will provide a great additional angling opportunity. A reminder to anglers that Northern Pike need to be 24 inches to harvest and a bag limit of 2 fish. We did receive a report from an angler and lakeshore owner that a Yellow Bass was caught by hook and line during 2024. Additionally during August of 2024 while collecting a few fish by way of electrofishing, a staff member thought they observed a Yellow Bass. While effort was made to net the suspected fish it did evade capture. It will be interesting to see if that species shows up on Cottonwood Lake in the future.

Cottonwood Lake is a shallow (maximum depth of 11 ft.), 155-acre, southern Minnesota lake located in the City of Windom in Cottonwood County. The lake has a large watershed acreage to lake acreage ratio of 49 to 1. The lake is directly upstream of Warren Pond and Warren Lake, wetlands that were dammed in 1939 and used to artificially divert storm surge and raise or lower water levels in Cottonwood Lake utilizing dam boards and a sluice gate. In addition to water level manipulation, Warren Lake is utilized as a rearing pond for Walleye and some upstream movement of Walleye occurs along with water manipulation. Artificial manipulation of water levels by pushing water uphill to Cottonwood Lake has resulted in greater nutrient influx and times of low water quality and clarity due to turbidity and algae blooms. One indicator of high nutrient loading is alkalinity which was 200 ppm in Cottonwood Lake (200 ppm in 2020, unchanged from 2016 level). For Southwest Minnesota Lakes, average alkalinity is 174 ppm with a 95% confidence interval of 165-182 ppm over the past 30 years. This indicates a high alkalinity level for Cottonwood Lake. Additionally, high nutrient loading results in high productivity that leads to high biological oxygen demand (BOD, accumulation of natural bacteria and other living organisms separate from fish). High BOD is magnified by summer algae blooms, winter ice cover, and duration of snow cover on the ice in the winter, eliminating or reducing the air water interface due to algae blooms or ice cover. During winter months this can cause dissolved oxygen readings to decline to the point of causing fish stress or winterkill. To combat this, winter aeration is maintained and operated a local sportsman's club. Cottonwood Lake has relatively stable dissolved oxygen levels year round and thus a consistent fish population. Cottonwood Lake is managed primarily for Walleye as well as Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch and Largemouth Bass. Cottonwood Lake was surveyed during August 2020 to monitor fish populations using 3 gill nets and 8 trap nets. Additionally, the Largemouth Bass population was surveyed utilizing boat electrofishing during June 2020. The 2020 Walleye gill net catch rate of 4.7 per net was within the normal range for southern Minnesota lakes (2.28 to 18.06), an increase from 2.7 per gill net in 2016, but slightly below Cottonwood Lake's long term average of 5.7 per gill net. Walleyes in the gill net sample ranged in length from 12.1 to 26.2 inches and averaged 15.3 inches. Ten Walleye were captured in the trap net sample and ranged in length from 9.9 to 19.3 inches with an average of 13.7 inches. The population appears to be balanced between large and small fish. Six different ages of Walleye were present with one 1-year old, nine 2-year old fish, one 3-year old, two 5-year old, one 6-year old, and one 14-year old fish. Weights relative to a typical population were fair indicating a population of fish that are finding enough prey to maintain a not too plump but not overly skinny body. The 2018 year class of Walleye was most abundant and was a result of fingerling stocked fish. Cottonwood Lake benefits from any ages of Walleye stocked to boost the population. During the spring of 2020, no Walleye fry were produced due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and resulting shutdown of statewide egg take operations. However, during the fall of 2020, just over 300 adult carry-over Walleye (from 2019) were stocked from nearby rearing ponds to help boost the Cottonwood Lake population. These were very nice fish that averaged nearly a pound-a-piece or more. In 2020, Black Crappie were captured at a rate of 6.9 per trap net, which is within the normal range for southern Minnesota lakes (1.2 to 20.5 per trap net), and an increase from the 2016 catch rate of 3.9 per trap net. However, the 2020 trap net catch rate is below the long term average of 15.7 per trap net. Lengths of Black Crappie ranged from 3.4 to 9.3 inches and averaged 7.8 inches. Black Crappie in trap nets and gill nets were more plump than a typical population. Abundance of adult Black Crappie will allow for natural reproduction to occur, so stocking is not needed at this time. Additionally, Cottonwood Lake was used as a test site for side scan sonar imaging to assess habitat, and during the spring of 2020 many suspected crappie nests were observed around the lake indicating good habitat for spawning! Crappie fishing could be good during the springs of 2021 and 2022 on Cottonwood Lake. The Bluegill catch rate increased from 1.0 per trap net in 2016 to 26.0 per trap net in 2020, which is above the normal range of catch rates for southern Minnesota lakes (1.2 to 20.0 per trap net) and above the long term average of 8.0 per trap net for Cottonwood Lake. Although curlyleaf pondweed is a non-native aquatic vegetation, the last few years have been more abundant on Cottonwood Lake. It is possible this vegetation has played a part in the increase of Bluegill abundance. Lengths of Bluegill ranged from 3.4 to 7.6 inches and averaged 6.7 inches. The most Bluegill were plump and thick across the back. The Bluegill population was an unexpected bright spot for Cottonwood Lake and should result in excellent shore fishing! The 2020 catch rate of Yellow Perch was 20.7 per gill net, an increase from the 2016 catch rate of 11.3 per gill net, but still what we would expect for Cottonwood Lake. Yellow Perch in the gill net sample ranged in length from 5.5 to 9.6 inches and averaged 7.4 inches. Nine Yellow Perch were caught in the trap net sample for a catch rate of 1.13 per trap net, also within the normal range for southern Minnesota lakes (0.3 to 3.8 per trap net). Trap nets are not good indicators of Yellow Perch abundance, but they do help assess condition (health) and growth of Yellow Perch. The Yellow Perch in the gill nets and trap nets were in fair health with most not too skinny but not overly plump. Yellow Perch fishing could be good on Cottonwood Lake as the fish may be prone to bite given their thinner body size. Four Largemouth Bass and 9 Smallmouth Bass were sampled during electrofishing and trap netting (2 Smallmouth Bass sampled in trap nets). The Largemouth Bass ranged from 14.2 to 18.2 inches. The Smallmouth Bass, from electrofishing and trap netting, ranged from 4.5 to 16.6 inches. Smallmouth Bass are a recent introduction into Cottonwood Lake and were not stocked by the Department of Natural Resources. Smallmouth Bass were most likely introduced by bucket stocking from nearby Fish Lake. Please do not move fish, it is illegal, and they can compete with fish already in the lake and make things harder for fish already in the lake. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are large enough to provide an additional angling opportunity, but their low numbers may make them difficult to catch. However, each species appears to be sustaining itself by natural reproduction. Future monitoring of both species will be conducted to determine if there is competition between the species. The Black Bullhead catch rate was 66.3 per gill net, which was the lowest catch rate ever observed, but still what we would expect to see for Cottonwood Lake. Black bullheads averaged 8.6 inches long. The Channel Catfish catch rate was 13.0 per gill net, which is the highest ever recorded. Channel Catfish ranged from 8.2 to 19.4 inches and averaged 12.8 inches. Other species sampled included Common Carp, Northern Pike, White Sucker, Bigmouth Buffalo, and Pumpkinseed. Cottonwood Lake is an excellent shorefishing location and drop-offs along the west shoreline where shore fishing and a public fishing pier is located can result in most species being present.

Cottonwood Lake is a shallow (maximum depth of 11 ft.), 155-acre lake located in the City of Windom in Cottonwood County. The lake is connected to Warren Pond and Warren Lake which have historically been used to manage water levels in Cottonwood Lake, which is connected to the City of Windom's water supply aquifer. Cottonwood Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch and Largemouth Bass. Cottonwood Lake was surveyed the week of July 25, 2016 to monitor fish populations using three gill nets and nine trap nets. The Largemouth Bass population was not assessed in this survey. The 2016 Walleye catch rate was near the lower end of the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes. The catch rate was 2.7 per gill net, a decrease from 10.7 per gill net in 2012, and below the long term average of 5.9 per gill net. Cottonwood Lake had heavy angling pressure and reportedly good walleye fishing during the winters of 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 that likely impacted Walleye abundance. Sampled Walleyes were large ranging in length from 12.7 to 26.0 inches and averaging 19.7 inches. Walleye in Cottonwood Lake were relatively old as 63 percent of sampled Walleye were age-8 or older. Walleye averaged 13.5 inches at age-3 indicating normal growth. Walleye yearlings that were stocked during the fall of 2016 should provide a quality angling opportunity in the near future. In 2016, Black Crappie were captured at a rate of 3.9 per trap net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 to 20.5 per trap net), but is a decrease from the 2012 catch rate of 15.8 per trap net and is below the long term average of 16.8 per trap net. Lengths of Black Crappie ranged from 5.8 to 10.0 inches and averaged 7.9 inches. Black Crappie abundance is relatively low but they should be able to produce a year class if conditions are favorable. The Bluegill catch rate decreased from 22.5 per trap net in 2012 to 1.0 per trap net in 2016, which is below the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 to 20.0 per trap net) and below the long term average of 5.8 per trap net. Lengths of Bluegill ranged from 4.5 to 8.4 inches and averaged 5.7 inches. The 2016 catch rate of Yellow Perch was 11.3 per gill net, a decrease from the 2012 catch rate of 65.7 per gill net, but within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.7 to 25.0 per gill net). Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5.6 to 8.2 inches and averaged 7.3 inches. The decline in Yellow Perch abundance was likely the result of predation by the abundant large Walleye that were present in 2015 and 2016. The Black Bullhead catch rate was 273.0 per gill net, which was the second highest catch rate recorded on Cottonwood Lake. Black bullheads averaged 6.6 inches long. The Channel Catfish Catch rate was 3.3 per gill net, which is the highest recorded catch rate. Channel Catfish ranged from 8.8 to 15.5 inches and averaged 11.8 inches. It is possible that we will see black bullhead abundances decrease if channel catfish abundance increases. Other species sampled included Common Carp, White Sucker, Bigmouth Buffalo, and Pumpkinseed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, and Black Crappie in Cottonwood. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Cottonwood has a maximum depth of 10 feet and a mean depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cottonwood is from 2024.

No invasive species are on record for Cottonwood in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.