---
type: lake
name: "Cottonwood Lake"
county: "Cottonwood"
nearest_town: "Windom"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 155
max_depth_ft: 10
latitude: 43.8793
longitude: -95.09866
lake_score: 47
dnr_lake_id: "17002200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/cottonwood-lake
---

# Cottonwood Lake

Lake in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, near Windom

- **Surface Area**: 155 acres
- **Max Depth**: 10 ft
- **Average Depth**: 8 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 1.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 47/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Cottonwood Lake is a 155-acre lake near Windom in Cottonwood County, Minnesota. It reaches 10 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 8 feet, and has roughly 3.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 1.7 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 2024.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Orangespotted Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/jackson-county/fish-lake) - 3.5 miles, 297 acres
- [Bingham Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/bingham-lake) - 3.9 miles, 270 acres
- [String Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/string-lake) - 5.1 miles, 336 acres
- [Eagle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/eagle-lake) - 6.7 miles, 105 acres
- [Timber Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/jackson-county/timber-lake) - 7.1 miles, 191 acres
- [Lake Independence](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/jackson-county/lake-independence) - 8.4 miles, 99 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=43.8793,-95.09866)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=17002200)
- [All lakes in Cottonwood County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county)

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