Cotton Lake

On the LakeGrade scale Cotton Lake grades a B, with clarity at 11.5 ft and phosphorus readings still being added placing it above the Minnesota median.

Mesotrophic conditions dominate at Cotton Lake: enough nutrients for a healthy fishery, not so much that algal blooms become a chronic problem. A maximum depth of 28 ft puts Cotton Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. Cotton Lake covers 1,763 acres alongside 10.9 miles of shoreline, large enough that conditions can vary meaningfully between bays. Cotton Lake ranks 37 of 93 in Becker County — solidly in the upper half of the local distribution.

Cotton Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 15 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. A documented public access point at Cotton Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The lake has a partial ice record — 23 observed ice-outs, centered near Apr 23. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.