Cotton Lake Fishing near Old River-Winfree, Texas

• Overview

  Cotton Lake is one of the Chambers County listings for Texas. This is warm green lowland ground. This is sizeable water at about 874 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. Shoreline length is close to 6.8 miles, and each section fishes a little differently. It is low-lying compared with other Texas water we list. Old River-Winfree lies 5.1 miles from the water. Beyond it, Mont Belvieu at 6.1 miles and Anahuac at 7.6 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Cotton Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Work the tide here — moving water feeds, slack water rests. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include blue catfish, channel catfish, spotted gar and flathead grey mullet. The records cover the area rather than this water alone. Read Cotton Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 83°F and January near 52°F. The calendar barely matters here; the time of day does. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Cotton Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is a ramp at Hugo Point Chambers County Boat Launch, half a mile out. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Cane Pond is 1.2 miles off. Check the position at Cotton Lake before loading the car.