---
type: lake
name: "Cotton Lake"
county: "Becker"
nearest_town: "Rochert"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1763
max_depth_ft: 28
latitude: 46.88249
longitude: -95.69774
lake_score: 63
dnr_lake_id: "03028600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/cotton-lake
---

# Cotton Lake

Lake in Becker County, Minnesota, near Rochert

- **Surface Area**: 1,763 acres
- **Max Depth**: 28 ft
- **Shoreline**: 10.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 11.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 63/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Cotton Lake is a 1,763-acre lake near Rochert in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 28 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 10.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.1 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Ice typically goes out around April 22, based on 24 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Fish & Wildlife Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 22
- **Years of record**: 24
- **Earliest**: 2010-11-23
- **Latest**: 2013-05-12

## Nearby Lakes

- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/pickerel-lake) - 1.5 miles, 361 acres
- [Perch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/perch-lake) - 2.4 miles, 48 acres
- [North Tamarack Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/north-tamarack-lake) - 3.5 miles, 1,442 acres
- [Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/rock-lake) - 4 miles, 1,196 acres
- [Height of Land Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/height-of-land-lake) - 4.3 miles, 3,795 acres
- [Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/rice-lake) - 5.6 miles, 231 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.88249,-95.69774)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=03028600)
- [All lakes in Becker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/cotton-lake)*