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90-acre lake in Algoma District, Ontario. The lake tops out around 40 ft. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1971, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey). Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
Drawn out, this is 90 acres of water rimmed by 2.7 miles of bank. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 2.1) — enough points and pockets to pattern. About 42% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 0.9 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.3 mi at the beam. The water lies in Algoma District. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Bogle Lake, 1 mi southwest of here.
Come spring, look for walleye tight to the bank in 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 15 to 35 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 12 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (7 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (12 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (39 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (12 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (12 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
The chart marks 6 structure features on Cotton Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 39 ft.
Access data: Land Information Ontario — Fishing Access Point. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Ontario waters are set by the Ontario fishing regulations (FMZ summary) — and special regulations can apply to Cotton Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Ontario fishing regulations →
Cotton Lake is about 40 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Ontario MNRF survey of 1971, a decades-old survey (a transect sounding survey).
Anglers target walleye, northern pike on Cotton Lake.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 12 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Cotton Lake is regulated by the Ontario fishing regulations (FMZ summary). Check the official Ontario regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Bogle Lake 1 mi · Burnfield Lake 1 mi · Obatanga Lake 3 mi · Knife Lake 4 mi · Kabenung Lake 6 mi · West Kabenung Lake 7 mi · Pokei Lake 10 mi · Furnival Lake 11 mi · Gibson Lake 13 mi · Jarvey Lake 13 mi · Atkinson Lake 2 18 mi · North McCrea Lake 20 mi
See how Cotton Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in Ontario · best northern pike lakes in Ontario
More water nearby: Algoma District fishing maps (1026 charts). Browse all Ontario fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.