Walleye fishing at Cottonwood

Spring walleye on Cottonwood hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 5 to 16 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 16 ft. Put Shoreline break first on the milk run — a drop-off near 7 ft that grades prime for fall. The feeding windows run the evening and early morning. The summer box starts with a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled).

Yellow Perch fishing at Cottonwood

Early season yellow perch use the shallows, holding in 3 to 12 ft. Expect a summer slide to 5 to 16 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 16 ft. Put Shallow bay flat first on the milk run — a weed flat near 3 ft that grades prime for spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.

Northern Pike fishing at Cottonwood

In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 5 to 16 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage most summer days.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Cottonwood

Spring puts largemouth bass in skinny water — 2 to 10 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 5 to 16 ft, wintering in 5 to 16 ft. Spring largemouth bass concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 3 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Rock Bass fishing at Cottonwood

Come spring, look for rock bass tight to the bank in 2 to 10 ft. Expect a summer slide to 4 to 16 ft, then a winter hold in 5 to 16 ft. Start at Shoreline break. It's a drop-off holding about 7 ft of water and rates prime come fall. Prime time lands in the evening. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig is the honest summer answer here.

Crappie fishing at Cottonwood

In spring, crappie run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 5 to 16 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 16 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 14 ft, rated prime for winter crappie. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) most summer days.

How deep is Cottonwood?

Cottonwood is about 16 ft (5 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Cottonwood?

Anglers target walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, largemouth bass, rock bass, crappie, bluegill, common carp on Cottonwood.

Where is the best fishing spot on Cottonwood?

Shoreline break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Cottonwood?

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.

Is Cottonwood stocked with fish?

Yes — per Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports records, Cottonwood was most recently stocked 2025 with 16 walleye (adults). The full stocking history is listed above.

What are the fishing regulations for Cottonwood?

Fishing on Cottonwood is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.