Cottonwood
Grant County, Minnesota — DOW #26018500
93 Surveys
254.73
Acres
16 ft
Max Depth
10.1 ft
Mean Depth
7
Fish Species
0
Local Guides
DNR Fish Surveys
Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Cottonwood. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.
Hybrid Sunfish
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-08-06 | Standard gill nets | 0.5 | — | 0.60 lb | 1 |
Northern Pike
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-08-06 | Standard gill nets | 5.0 (normal) | 2.0 – 10.8 | 0.55 lb | 10 |
| 1998-06-08 | 3/8-in trap nets | 0.5 | — | 0.88 lb | 2 |
| 1998-06-08 | Standard gill nets | 2.3 (normal) | 2.0 – 10.8 | 1.08 lb | 7 |
| 1998-06-08 | Standard trap nets | 0.4 | — | 1.31 lb | 2 |
| 2008-06-02 | Standard gill nets | 2.5 (normal) | 2.0 – 10.8 | 2.22 lb | 15 |
| 2008-06-02 | Standard trap nets | 0.2 | — | 2.75 lb | 2 |
| 2001-06-05 | Standard gill nets | 3.3 (normal) | 2.0 – 10.8 | 2.17 lb | 13 |
| 2001-06-05 | Standard trap nets | 0.6 | — | 2.63 lb | 6 |
| 1979-08-01 | Standard gill nets | 18.5 (above normal) | 2.0 – 10.8 | 0.85 lb | 37 |
| 1979-08-01 | Standard trap nets | 7.0 | — | 2.61 lb | 21 |
| 2024-06-03 | Standard gill nets | 5.5 (normal) | 2.0 – 10.8 | 2.60 lb | 33 |
| 2024-06-03 | Standard trap nets | 1.1 | — | 1.92 lb | 10 |
| 1995-07-25 | Standard gill nets | 0.5 (below normal) | 2.0 – 10.8 | 3.15 lb | 3 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard gill nets | 0.2 (below normal) | 2.0 – 10.8 | 0.90 lb | 1 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard trap nets | 0.2 | — | 3.13 lb | 2 |
Black Crappie
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-08-06 | Standard gill nets | 30.0 (above normal) | 1.7 – 17.5 | 0.33 lb | 60 |
| 1993-07-27 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 (below normal) | 2.1 – 24.1 | 0.73 lb | 1 |
| 2001-06-05 | 1/4-in trap nets | 25.2 | — | — | 126 |
| 2001-06-05 | Standard trap nets | 1.3 (below normal) | 2.1 – 24.1 | 0.59 lb | 13 |
| 1979-08-01 | Standard gill nets | 37.0 (above normal) | 1.7 – 17.5 | 0.39 lb | 74 |
| 1979-08-01 | Standard trap nets | 92.3 (above normal) | 2.1 – 24.1 | 0.46 lb | 277 |
| 2024-06-03 | Standard trap nets | 0.7 (below normal) | 2.1 – 24.1 | 1.82 lb | 6 |
| 1995-07-25 | Standard trap nets | 1.2 (below normal) | 2.1 – 24.1 | 0.61 lb | 11 |
| 1995-07-25 | Survey seining | 1.0 | — | — | 4 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard gill nets | 1.7 (below normal) | 1.7 – 17.5 | 0.22 lb | 10 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard trap nets | 4.8 (normal) | 2.1 – 24.1 | 0.23 lb | 43 |
Black Bullhead
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-08-06 | Standard gill nets | 40.5 (normal) | 7.7 – 104.7 | 0.51 lb | 81 |
| 1993-07-27 | Standard gill nets | 283.7 (above normal) | 7.7 – 104.7 | 0.46 lb | 851 |
| 1993-07-27 | Standard trap nets | 146.2 (above normal) | 1.5 – 58.0 | 0.54 lb | 1316 |
| 1992-06-17 | Standard gill nets | 286.0 (above normal) | 7.7 – 104.7 | 0.36 lb | 286 |
| 1992-06-17 | Standard trap nets | 179.8 (above normal) | 1.5 – 58.0 | 0.32 lb | 1079 |
| 2008-06-02 | Standard gill nets | 1.7 (below normal) | 7.7 – 104.7 | 0.51 lb | 10 |
| 2008-06-02 | Standard trap nets | 0.6 (below normal) | 1.5 – 58.0 | 0.45 lb | 5 |
| 1979-08-01 | Standard gill nets | 32.0 (normal) | 7.7 – 104.7 | 0.41 lb | 64 |
| 1979-08-01 | Standard trap nets | 14.3 (normal) | 1.5 – 58.0 | 0.14 lb | 43 |
| 2024-06-03 | Standard trap nets | 0.2 (below normal) | 1.5 – 58.0 | 1.47 lb | 2 |
| 1995-07-25 | Standard gill nets | 31.8 (normal) | 7.7 – 104.7 | 0.82 lb | 191 |
| 1995-07-25 | Standard trap nets | 57.3 (normal) | 1.5 – 58.0 | 0.26 lb | 516 |
| 1995-07-25 | Survey seining | 101.3 | — | — | 405 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard gill nets | 0.8 (below normal) | 7.7 – 104.7 | 1.44 lb | 5 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard trap nets | 5.0 (normal) | 1.5 – 58.0 | 1.51 lb | 45 |
Walleye
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-08-06 | Standard gill nets | 3.0 (normal) | 0.8 – 3.8 | 2.22 lb | 6 |
| 1993-07-27 | Standard gill nets | 1.7 (normal) | 0.8 – 3.8 | 3.71 lb | 5 |
| 1992-06-17 | Standard gill nets | 2.0 (normal) | 0.8 – 3.8 | 1.95 lb | 2 |
| 1998-06-08 | Standard trap nets | 1.2 (above normal) | 0.3 – 0.8 | 0.30 lb | 6 |
| 1998-06-08 | 3/8-in trap nets | 1.3 | — | 0.27 lb | 5 |
| 1998-06-08 | Standard gill nets | 2.3 (normal) | 0.8 – 3.8 | 0.31 lb | 7 |
| 2008-06-02 | Standard gill nets | 13.0 (above normal) | 0.8 – 3.8 | 2.07 lb | 78 |
| 2008-06-02 | Standard trap nets | 3.2 (above normal) | 0.3 – 0.8 | 1.73 lb | 29 |
| 2001-06-05 | Standard gill nets | 4.5 (above normal) | 0.8 – 3.8 | 0.58 lb | 18 |
| 2001-06-05 | Standard trap nets | 0.6 (normal) | 0.3 – 0.8 | 1.33 lb | 6 |
| 1979-08-01 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (normal) | 0.3 – 0.8 | 1.60 lb | 1 |
| 2024-06-03 | Standard gill nets | 10.0 (above normal) | 0.8 – 3.8 | 1.40 lb | 60 |
| 2024-06-03 | Standard trap nets | 9.2 (above normal) | 0.3 – 0.8 | 4.69 lb | 83 |
| 1995-07-25 | Standard gill nets | 19.7 (above normal) | 0.8 – 3.8 | 2.08 lb | 118 |
| 1995-07-25 | Standard trap nets | 0.4 (normal) | 0.3 – 0.8 | 4.75 lb | 4 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard electrofishing | 4.4 | — | 1.17 lb | 4 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard gill nets | 7.8 (above normal) | 0.8 – 3.8 | 1.56 lb | 47 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard trap nets | 5.6 (above normal) | 0.3 – 0.8 | 2.91 lb | 50 |
Yellow Perch
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-08-06 | Standard gill nets | 593.5 (above normal) | 2.0 – 22.3 | 0.17 lb | 1187 |
| 1993-07-27 | Standard gill nets | 0.7 (below normal) | 2.0 – 22.3 | 0.63 lb | 2 |
| 1992-06-17 | Standard gill nets | 7.0 (normal) | 2.0 – 22.3 | 0.60 lb | 7 |
| 1995-07-25 | Standard trap nets | 3.6 (above normal) | 0.4 – 2.8 | 0.37 lb | 32 |
| 1995-07-25 | Survey seining | 0.3 | — | — | 1 |
| 1995-07-25 | Standard gill nets | 61.0 (above normal) | 2.0 – 22.3 | 0.26 lb | 366 |
Common Carp
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-08-06 | Standard gill nets | 7.0 (above normal) | 0.8 – 4.3 | 1.96 lb | 14 |
| 1979-08-01 | Standard gill nets | 0.5 (below normal) | 0.8 – 4.3 | 4.50 lb | 1 |
| 1979-08-01 | Standard trap nets | 8.7 (above normal) | 0.4 – 2.4 | 1.95 lb | 26 |
| 1995-07-25 | Survey seining | 23.8 | — | — | 95 |
| 1995-07-25 | Standard gill nets | 0.7 (below normal) | 0.8 – 4.3 | 1.02 lb | 4 |
| 1995-07-25 | Standard trap nets | 1.9 (normal) | 0.4 – 2.4 | 1.47 lb | 17 |
Largemouth Bass
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-06-02 | Standard trap nets | 0.1 (below normal) | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.11 lb | 1 |
| 2008-06-02 | Standard electrofishing | 34.4 | — | 2.56 lb | 16 |
| 2008-06-02 | Standard gill nets | 0.2 (below normal) | 0.3 – 0.6 | 1.60 lb | 1 |
| 2001-06-05 | 1/4-in trap nets | 0.2 | — | — | 1 |
| 2001-06-05 | Standard electrofishing | 4.0 | — | 3.02 lb | 4 |
| 2024-06-03 | Standard trap nets | 1.2 (above normal) | 0.2 – 0.8 | 1.67 lb | 11 |
| 2024-06-03 | Standard electrofishing | 13.6 | — | 2.76 lb | 15 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard trap nets | 0.7 (normal) | 0.2 – 0.8 | 1.10 lb | 6 |
Bluegill
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-06-05 | 1/4-in trap nets | 1282.6 | — | — | 6413 |
| 2001-06-05 | Standard trap nets | 2.1 (below normal) | 3.5 – 57.1 | 0.44 lb | 21 |
| 2001-06-05 | Standard gill nets | 0.5 | — | 0.52 lb | 2 |
| 2024-06-03 | Standard trap nets | 0.3 (below normal) | 3.5 – 57.1 | 0.97 lb | 3 |
| 2024-06-03 | Standard gill nets | 0.2 | — | 1.92 lb | 1 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard trap nets | 9.1 (normal) | 3.5 – 57.1 | 0.22 lb | 82 |
| 2018-06-04 | Standard gill nets | 3.0 | — | 0.26 lb | 18 |
White Crappie
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979-08-01 | Standard gill nets | 2.0 (normal) | 0.5 – 13.0 | 0.60 lb | 4 |
| 1979-08-01 | Standard trap nets | 8.7 (normal) | 0.4 – 14.4 | 0.47 lb | 26 |
White Sucker
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Avg Weight | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979-08-01 | Standard trap nets | 0.7 (normal) | 0.2 – 1.2 | 2.75 lb | 2 |
BIB
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-07-25 | Survey seining | 0.5 | — | 2 |
Fathead Minnow
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-07-25 | Survey seining | 81.8 | — | 327 |
Johnny Darter
| Date | Gear | CPUE | Normal Range | Total Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-07-25 | Survey seining | 21.3 | — | 85 |
Depth Maps & Lake Info
Map & Directions
Get DirectionsShowing 10 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.
Nearby Bait & Tackle
Chumpy's Bait Shop
Elbow Lake, MN
★ 4.5Bosek Fisheries and Wholesale Live Bait
Hoffman, MN
★ 5Fischer's Outback
Graceville, MN
★ 5Joe’s Bait & Bullets
Brandon, MN
★ 4.7Lake's Area Bait Co
Lowry, MN
★ 4.7Last Cast Bait & Tackle
Starbuck, MN
★ 4.5Urbank Live Bait Inc
Clitherall, MN
★ 4.9Whipps Bait
Dalton, MN
★ 5Nearby Marinas
Resorts & Lodges Near Cottonwood
Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Cottonwood.
Fish Species
Species known to inhabit Cottonwood. Click any species for a full fishing guide.
Other Lakes in Grant County
Plan Your Trip to Cottonwood
- Weather forecast for Cottonwood — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
- GPS: 45.7611°N, 96.0199°W — Get Directions
- View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
- Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us
Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.