---
type: lake
name: "Cottonwood Lake"
county: "Grant"
nearest_town: "Donnelly"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 255
max_depth_ft: 16
latitude: 45.76105
longitude: -96.01987
lake_score: 54
dnr_lake_id: "26018500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/cottonwood-lake
---

# Cottonwood Lake

Lake in Grant County, Minnesota, near Donnelly

- **Surface Area**: 255 acres
- **Max Depth**: 16 ft
- **Average Depth**: 10 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 54/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Cottonwood Lake is a 255-acre lake near Donnelly in Grant County, Minnesota. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 2.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.4 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth 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 Minnesota DNR.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 6
- **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, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Black Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Graham Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/graham-lake) - 5.1 miles, 138 acres
- [Perkins Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stevens-county/perkins-lake) - 8.7 miles, 518 acres
- [Mustinka River Flowage](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/mustinka-river-flowage) - 8.9 miles, 91 acres
- [Elk Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/elk-lake) - 12.7 miles, 207 acres
- [Barrett Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/barrett-lake) - 12.8 miles, 530 acres
- [Lower Elk Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/lower-elk-lake) - 13.2 miles, 131 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.76105,-96.01987)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=26018500)
- [All lakes in Grant County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county)

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