Cottonwood River

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 9
Species: 26

The Cottonwood River is a scenic stream flowing through southwestern Minnesota, offering diverse angling opportunities in a peaceful, natural setting. This waterway provides habitat for a variety of fish species and offers both challenging and rewarding fishing experiences for anglers of all skill levels. Formerly lending its name to what is now Flandrau State Park, the Cottonwood River remains a somewhat hidden gem in Minnesota's fishing landscape, with strong populations of game fish despite its relatively modest size.

Minnesota licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Cottonwood River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Bigmouth Buffalo

Ictiobus cyprinellus

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Orangespotted Sunfish

Lepomis humilis

Quillback Carpsucker

Carpiodes cyprinus

River Carpsucker

Carpiodes carpio

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Shorthead Redhorse Sucker

Moxostoma macrolepidotum

Shortnose Gar

Lepisosteus platostomus

Silver Redhorse

Moxostoma anisurum

White Bass

Morone chrysops

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Cottonwood River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Cottonwood River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Minnesota licenses and regulations

Minnesota Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

Learn more

Minnesota Fishing License

You need to buy a Minnesota fishing license if you're 16 or older. Annual licenses allow you to fish from March 1 to the last day of February the following year. Lower-cost licenses are available for shorter time periods. There is an added cost to fish for trout, salmon or sturgeon. All non-residents, regardless of age, must buy a fishing license.

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Minnesota Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Minnesota Stream Access Laws

A Minnesota waterway is navigable if it’s capable of travel, recreational or commercial. The state owns navigable streambeds, which are open to public recreation. All surface waters and groundwater, except for surface waters not confined, are waters of the state.

Learn more

Take Cottonwood River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Cottonwood River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Cottonwood River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android

Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Cottonwood River and check the forecast before you go.