---
type: lake
name: "Mountain Lake"
county: "Cottonwood"
nearest_town: "Mountain Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 230
max_depth_ft: 8
latitude: 43.94828
longitude: -94.94847
lake_score: 56
dnr_lake_id: "17000300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/mountain-lake
---

# Mountain Lake

Lake in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, near Mountain Lake

- **Surface Area**: 230 acres
- **Max Depth**: 8 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 56/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bass, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: March 30
- **Years of record**: 9
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-15
- **Latest**: 2018-04-29

## Nearby Lakes

- [Eagle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/eagle-lake) - 3 miles, 105 acres
- [Bingham Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/bingham-lake) - 5.2 miles, 270 acres
- [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/jackson-county/fish-lake) - 8.6 miles, 297 acres
- [Cottonwood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county/cottonwood-lake) - 8.9 miles, 155 acres
- [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/fish-lake) - 12.3 miles, 156 acres
- [Kansas Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county/kansas-lake) - 12.4 miles, 403 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=43.94828,-94.94847)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=17000300)
- [All lakes in Cottonwood County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cottonwood-county)

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