Fish Lake in Cottonwood County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Out in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, sits Fish Lake. Height above sea level is 1,375 feet. This is sizeable water at about 293 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. The shoreline runs about 5.7 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. Among the waters listed for Cottonwood County, none is wider. Start from Windom, 3.8 miles down the road. Beyond it, Mountain Lake at 8.7 miles and Lakefield at 13 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Fish Lake

  Sounding records show water to about 32 feet. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. County-wide records name common carp, walleye, black bullhead, yellow perch and black crappie. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Fish Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 72°F and January at 13°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early April. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. That shapes the year on Fish Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Summit Lake is 1.4 miles distant. Check the position at Fish Lake before loading the car.