Cottonwood Lake

How big is Cottonwood Lake?

How deep is Cottonwood Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Cottonwood Lake?

What are the closest cities to Cottonwood Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Cottonwood Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Cottonwood Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Cottonwood Lake

Are there boat launches on Cottonwood Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Cottonwood Lake?

A targeted fall night electrofishing survey was conducted on Cottonwood Lake during September 11, 2023 to evaluate young of year "YOY" (fingerling sized) Walleye numbers due to a fry stocking. Three stations were sampled for a total of 30 minutes. The water temperature was 67 F. Water clarity was poor (3 inches) due to a blue-green algae bloom. We observed abundant numbers of YOY Yellow Perch, moderate numbers of adult Walleye, low numbers of Common Carp and Northern Pike. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e., spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e., standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass).

Cottonwood is a small (383 acres), shallow (7 feet maximum), aerated (6 unit helixor system and floating surface type aerators), and productive lake located in Lyon County. A significant winterkill last occurred during late January or early February of 2013 on Cottonwood Lake.

Walleye natural reproduction has been generally insignificant based on previous surveys for Cottonwood. Walleye fry were generally stocked (160,000-250,000) every other year in Cottonwood, after a fry stocking failure or winterkill occurrence. Walleye fry (175,828 fish) were last stocked in May of 2023. Other recent Walleye fry stockings (180,000 - 250,000 fish) included 2008-2011, 2013-2014, 2016, 2018 and 2021-2022. Walleye fry are currently scheduled for annual stockings of 125,000 fish. Walleye fingerlings and yearlings had been previously stocked into Cottonwood during late September of 2004 (12,130 fish, 715 pounds), January of 2010 (16,800 fingerlings, 700 pounds-private stocking), May of 2010 (124 yearlings/adults, 19 pounds), fall of 2011 (5,152 yearlings, 260 fingerlings and 82 adults; 742 pounds), fall of 2014 (29 fish, 38 pounds), fall of 2020 (416 yearlings, 277 pounds; 69 adults, 137 pounds) and fall of 2021 (126 adults, 197 pounds).

Low numbers of young of year "YOY" Walleye (14.00 YOY/hour, 8.35 inches) were caught in a 2023 nighttime fall electrofishing survey. Local residents reported seeing dead small Walleye along the Cottonwood near shore areas during early July of 2023. Moderate numbers of YOY Walleye (36.00 YOY/hour, 6.35 inches) were caught in a 2022 daytime fall electrofishing survey. YOY Walleye are probably more numerous than documented in 2022 due to daytime electrofishing being less effective than nighttime electrofishing for catching YOY Walleye. Abundant numbers of large sized YOY Walleye were captured in the 2018 (210.00 YOY/hour, 8.33 inches) and 2016 (86.00 YOY/hour, 8.17 inches) fall night electrofishing surveys. Moderate numbers of YOY Walleye (48.00 YOY/hour, 6.16 inches) were captured in the 2014 fall night electrofishing survey. No yearling Walleye were caught in 2023 fall electrofishing survey. Abundant YOY Northern Pike (102.22 YOY/hour, 7.70 inches) captured in the 2013 fall electrofishing survey. No fall YOY Walleye electrofishing surveys were conducted in 2020-2021.

Adult Walleye were abundant (17.00 fish/gillnet) in the most recent 2022 summer standard gillnet and trapnet survey. Walleye average weight and length were 2.14 pounds and 17.87 inches from gillnets. Walleye growth rates were excellent. The 2019 year class (yearling/adult stocked and/or natural reproduction) accounted for 58% of the 2022 Walleye summer survey catch.

Cottonwood Lake will be surveyed for all fish species in 2027. Fall electrofishing surveys will be conducted periodically during Walleye fry stocked years.

Are there any state parks near Cottonwood Lake?