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Cottonwood Lake

Lake fishing  South Dakota · 07:08 - 19:41

Cottonwood Lake is a lake set in South Dakota. The main target species are White Bass, Bluegill and Muskellunge.

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Good 65% The bite right now
Top bet: White Bass Active through the day, water near its preferred 19 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
86%
66°
Best day
Thu
86%
70°
Fri
82%
62°
Sat
86%
63°
Sun
86%
60°
Mon
86%
62°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Overcast
Water temp (est.)
67°F
Air temp
65°F
Wind
14 mph
Pressure
30.11 inHg ↑ rising
Clouds
100.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 06:23–08:23 Day 08:23–18:26 Dusk 18:26–20:26

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing crescent 14% lit
Major period 15:40–17:40 Major period 03:40–05:40 Minor period 11:23–12:53 Minor period 20:26–21:56

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

15:00
65°
16:00
64°
17:00
64°
18:00
63°
19:00
62°
20:00
58°
21:00
58°
22:00
57°
23:00
56°
00:00
56°
01:00
55°
02:00
54°

Likely catch now (14 species)

White Bass
Morone chrysops
65%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 19 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
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Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
62%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 19 degrees.
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Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
58%
Water near its preferred 19 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
57%
Water near its preferred 19 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
55%
Water near its preferred 19 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
54%
Peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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About the fishing here

The usual catches here are White Bass, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Brook Trout.

White Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a spoon for white bass, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for white bass at the day. Fish hard now.
Colour Low light: try chartreuse and red for white bass.
Lure Spoon for white bass: Small shiny spoon in the school.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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Map

More waters nearby

Moccasin Creek South Dakota · 56.3 mi away Clear Lake South Dakota · 77.3 mi away Lake Badus South Dakota · 110.5 mi away Prairie Lake North Dakota · 127.3 mi away Prairie Pothole North Dakota · 129.8 mi away Mississippi River Minnesota · 148.0 mi away Mississippi River Minnesota · 148.2 mi away Mississippi River Minnesota · 148.2 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Cottonwood Lake?

Popular catches here include White Bass, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Brook Trout, Northern Pike and Brown Trout.

Do you need a fishing license at Cottonwood Lake?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Cottonwood Lake?

For White Bass, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Cottonwood Lake right now?

Right now White Bass is the most likely catch, at about 16%.