Cotton Lake

How big is Cotton Lake?

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What kind of fish can you catch in Cotton Lake?

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Are there boat launches on Cotton Lake?

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Cotton Lake is a 1,763-acre lake located in Becker county 12 miles east of the city of Detroit Lakes. The lake possesses a heavily developed shoreline and receives high recreational use and fishing pressure from the surrounding area, particularly during the open water season. The Shelly Island Wildlife Management Area and the Cotton Lake Aquatic Management Area collectively protect 111 acres of land within and adjacent to Cotton Lake. The lake is moderately productive and maintains a robust fishery, providing angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie. A standard lake survey was completed on Cotton Lake in July 2021.

Catch rates of Walleye in Cotton Lake have varied over time, ranging from four to 13 Walleye per gill net. The average catch rate of Walleye in 2021 was about five fish per gill net. Walleye sampled ranged in length from 8.4 to 22.6 inches, averaging 15.9 inches long. Walleye in Cotton Lake typically reach 15 inches in length by age four, exhibiting growth that is considered average in Minnesota lakes.
Northern Pike catches have increased in Cotton Lake over time. During the 2021 survey the average catch rate of Northern Pike was almost 14 pike per gill net, slightly higher than the lake's historical average. Pike sampled in 2021 ranged in length from 10.0 to 28.9 inches, averaging 17.3 inches long. Only 1.2% of sampled Northern Pike were greater than or equal to 24 inches in length, indicative of a population persisting of an over-abundance of small to moderately sized pike.

Catch rates of Yellow Perch have remained between about ten and 20 perch pet gill net in the last six surveys. The average catch rate of Yellow Perch in 2021 was about 13 perch per gill net. Sampled perch ranged in length from 5.1 to 12.0 inches, averaging 8.4 inches long. Cotton Lake appears to have the possibility to provide an angling opportunity for Yellow Perch, a unique prospect in the Detroit Lakes Fisheries Management Area.

Bluegill catches in Cotton Lake have declined relative to past surveys. Although catch rates are lower, the size structure of Bluegill has improved in the last two surveys. The average catch rate of Bluegill in 2021 was about 12 fish per trap net. Sampled Bluegill ranged in length from 2.8 to 8.9 inches, averaging 6.1 inches long. Approximately 22% of the Bluegill sampled in trap nets were eight inches or longer, a substantial improvement from previous surveys. Bluegill in Cotton Lake exhibit relatively slow growth, requiring six years to reach six inches long.
In 2021, a total of ten Black Crappie were sampled ranging in length from 3.7 to 12.2 inches long. A total of 15 Largemouth Bass were caught in trap nets, ranging in length from 5.2 to 19.0 inches in length, averaging 11.8 inches long. Additional species sampled in Cotton Lake in 2021 included Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Cisco, and White Sucker.

Anglers can help maintain and improve Cotton Lake's fishery by harvesting small to moderately sized fish and releasing larger fish (specifically Northern Pike and Bluegill), as well as taking precautions to prevent the spread of invasive species. Shoreline owners can help to improve water quality and fish habit in the lake by maintaining shoreline buffer zones and leaving native aquatic vegetation stands intact.

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Are there any state parks near Cotton Lake?