Mountain Lake
About Mountain Lake
Mountain Lake is a 230-acre lake near Mountain Lake in Cottonwood County, Minnesota. It reaches 8 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.9 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 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 2025.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around March 30, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Mountain Lake
- 230 acres, up to 8 feet deep, near Mountain Lake
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 3.9 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 230 acres
- Max depth
- 8 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 3.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 220 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 13
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- March 30
- Years of record
- 9
- Earliest
- March 15, 2016
- Latest
- April 29, 2018
- Most recent
- March 29, 2020
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near Mountain Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Mountain Lake
Compare Mountain Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Mountain Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Mountain Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Mountain Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Eagle Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreCottonwood · Mountain Lake105 acres
3 miles away
Bingham Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCottonwood · Bingham Lake270 acres
5.2 miles away
Fish Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreJackson · Windom297 acres
8.6 miles away
Cottonwood Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCottonwood · Windom155 acres
8.9 miles away
Fish Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Odin156 acres
12.3 miles away
Kansas Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreWatonwan · Saint James403 acres
12.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mountain Lake?
Mountain Lake is in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, near Mountain Lake. It covers 230 acres and reaches 8 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Mountain Lake?
Mountain Lake covers 230 acres with about 4.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 8 feet.
What fish can you catch at Mountain Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Mountain Lake?
Yes. Mountain Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Mountain Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Mountain Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Mountain Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Mountain Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Mountain Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 30, from 9 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 15, 2016 and the latest is April 29, 2018.
Can you camp at Mountain Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.