Cottonwood

Lyon County, Minnesota — DOW #42001400

119 Surveys

382.6

Acres

7 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Cottonwood. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2014-09-02	Fall electrofishing	48.0	—	0.05 lb	16
2016-09-13	Fall electrofishing	86.0	—	—	43
2022-06-27	Fall electrofishing	40.0	—	0.04 lb	20
2022-06-27	Standard gill nets	17.0 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.14 lb	51
2022-06-27	Standard trap nets	4.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.0	1.75 lb	43
1997-06-30	Fall electrofishing	93.0	—	0.03 lb	31
1997-06-30	Survey seining	0.3	—	0.02 lb	1
1997-06-30	Standard gill nets	38.3 (above normal)	2.3 – 18.1	0.56 lb	115
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	4.6 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.0	0.97 lb	41
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	39.5 (above normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.65 lb	79
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	6.2 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.0	2.32 lb	56
2012-06-28	Standard gill nets	94.0 (above normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.29 lb	94
2012-06-28	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	24.6 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.0	1.43 lb	221
2023-09-11	Fall electrofishing	18.0	—	0.09 lb	9
2002-06-27	Standard gill nets	7.0 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.25 lb	21
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	3.23 lb	6
2017-06-21	Standard gill nets	9.0 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	0.90 lb	9
2017-06-21	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	1.27 lb	9

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-06-27	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	2.85 lb	8
2022-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	5.64 lb	3
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	2.06 lb	5
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	3.2	—	2.38 lb	29
2012-06-28	Standard gill nets	15.0 (above normal)	1.1 – 8.0	2.30 lb	15
2012-06-28	50-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	2
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	4.9	—	2.76 lb	44
2002-06-27	Standard gill nets	7.3 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	1.66 lb	22
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	1.41 lb	9
2017-06-21	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.1 – 8.0	1.24 lb	1
2017-06-21	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	1.84 lb	2

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-06-27	Standard gill nets	32.0 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.49 lb	96
2022-06-27	Standard trap nets	19.4 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.60 lb	175
1997-06-30	Standard gill nets	148.7 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.40 lb	446
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	43.6 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.47 lb	392
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	146.5 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.19 lb	293
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	135.8 (above normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.13 lb	1222
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	60.4 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.11 lb	544
2012-06-28	Backpack electrofishing	2.3	—	—	2
2012-06-28	Standard gill nets	41.0 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.31 lb	41
2012-06-28	50-ft beach seine	3.4	—	—	34
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	19.4 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.41 lb	175
2002-06-27	Standard gill nets	107.3 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.14 lb	322
2017-06-21	Standard gill nets	202.0 (above normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.23 lb	202
2017-06-21	Standard trap nets	84.3 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.24 lb	759
1990-08-28	Standard gill nets	72.7 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.19 lb	218
1990-08-28	Standard trap nets	248.0 (above normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.23 lb	1984

OSS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-06-27	Standard trap nets	1.3	—	0.04 lb	12
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	1.7	—	0.03 lb	15
1997-06-30	Survey seining	231.8	—	—	927
1997-06-30	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.05 lb	2
2012-06-28	50-ft beach seine	25.8	—	—	258
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	0.06 lb	4
2012-06-28	Backpack electrofishing	94.6	—	—	84
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	59.1	—	0.01 lb	532
2002-06-27	Survey seining	1149.5	—	—	4598
2002-06-27	Standard gill nets	2.0	—	0.04 lb	6
1990-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.05 lb	1

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-06-27	Standard trap nets	10.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.22 lb	93
2022-06-27	Standard gill nets	124.0 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.14 lb	372
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.28 lb	18
1997-06-30	Survey seining	149.8	—	—	599
1997-06-30	Standard gill nets	94.3 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.28 lb	283
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.32 lb	3
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.21 lb	1
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.11 lb	1
2012-06-28	Standard gill nets	6.0 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.30 lb	6
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	4.6 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.13 lb	41
2002-06-27	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	1
2002-06-27	Standard gill nets	31.0 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.17 lb	93
2017-06-21	Standard gill nets	11.0 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.56 lb	11

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-06-27	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.0 – 13.8	2.08 lb	9
2022-06-27	Standard trap nets	5.6 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.5	4.14 lb	50
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	34.0 (above normal)	1.0 – 13.8	1.95 lb	68
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	6.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.5	7.38 lb	57
2012-06-28	Standard gill nets	9.0 (normal)	1.0 – 13.8	2.40 lb	9
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	3.8 (normal)	1.0 – 5.5	4.63 lb	34
2002-06-27	Survey seining	1.3	—	1.26 lb	5
2002-06-27	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.0 – 13.8	3.90 lb	7
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	10.9 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.5	3.34 lb	98
2017-06-21	Standard gill nets	18.0 (above normal)	1.0 – 13.8	1.68 lb	18
2017-06-21	Standard trap nets	10.7 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.5	2.02 lb	96
1990-08-28	Standard gill nets	15.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 13.8	0.41 lb	46
1990-08-28	Standard trap nets	11.6 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.5	1.59 lb	93

BIB

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	5.72 lb	4
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.0	5.51 lb	1

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.05 lb	1

Channel Catfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	4.63 lb	1
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	6.72 lb	1

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1997-06-30	Survey seining	1.3	—	—	5
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.29 lb	9
2012-06-28	Backpack electrofishing	1.1	—	—	1
2012-06-28	50-ft beach seine	3.5	—	—	35
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	12.0 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.34 lb	108
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.27 lb	7

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1997-06-30	Survey seining	61.3	—	245
2012-06-28	50-ft beach seine	594.4	—	5944
2012-06-28	Backpack electrofishing	2017.9	—	1792
2002-06-27	Survey seining	152.5	—	610

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.32 lb	1
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.47 lb	4
2012-06-28	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	4.1 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	1.35 lb	37

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.68 lb	1

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.22 lb	2
2012-06-28	Backpack electrofishing	74.3	—	—	66
2012-06-28	50-ft beach seine	0.3	—	—	3
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.16 lb	2
2002-06-27	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	1
1990-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.28 lb	2

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2012-06-28	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
2012-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.17 lb	1
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	0.13 lb	5

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 4.5	1.73 lb	3

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	1.52 lb	1

AME

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-06-21	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	1

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-08-28	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.8 – 6.5	0.90 lb	7
1990-08-28	Standard trap nets	3.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.6	1.28 lb	24

SHI

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.09 lb	1
1990-08-28	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.11 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 11 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

Boat Access

Russell, MN

★ 4

Independence Park, East Lyon Street

Marshall, MN

(507) 537-6760

★ 4.7

Ziegler CAT Marshall

Marshall, MN

(800) 325-4929

★ 4.8

Resorts & Lodges Near Cottonwood

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Cottonwood.

Traveler's Lodge

Fishing Resort Marshall

(507) 532-5721

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Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Cottonwood. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

American Eel Bigmouth Buffalo Black Bullhead Common Carp Northern Pike Orangespotted Sunfish Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Other Lakes in Lyon County

Plan Your Trip to Cottonwood

Weather forecast for Cottonwood — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 44.6168°N, 95.6807°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Cottonwood

DNR Fish Surveys

Walleye

Northern Pike

Black Bullhead

OSS

Yellow Perch

Common Carp

BIB

Tadpole Madtom

Channel Catfish

Bluegill

Fathead Minnow

Black Crappie

Largemouth Bass

Green Sunfish

Hybrid Sunfish

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Bullhead

AME

White Sucker

SHI

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Ace Home & Hardware

Action Sports

Barrels And Arrows

Borch's Sporting Goods

Bott's Spot Sportscards & Collectibles LLC

Crystal Eyes Jigs LLC

Harbor Freight

Highway Bait Shop

Nearby Marinas

Boat Access

Independence Park, East Lyon Street

Ziegler CAT Marshall

Resorts & Lodges Near Cottonwood

Fish Species

Other Lakes in Lyon County

Brawner

Clear

East Twin

Goose

Island

Lady Slipper

Plan Your Trip to Cottonwood