Confirm the current BC freshwater fishing regulations (Region 4, Kootenay), including any bait, motor or ice-fishing limits for this lake, before you fish.
The water
Cottonwood Lake lies Head of Cottonwood Creek, just S of Nelson; in the Slocan River watershed. It covers ~6.6 ha surface area. The lake survey puts it at max 14.9 m, mean 7.3 m, which sets the depth you fish.
The fishing
Cottonwood Lake fishes on classic stillwater lines: chironomids over the shoals, leech and attractor retrieves along the drop-offs, and depth or troll work to the shoal-and-drop-off structure. Match the season and confirm against a local report.
Conditions
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Depth: max 14.9 m, mean 7.3 m, Secchi 5.5 m (BC lake survey 1949-06-05).
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Water-health signal: average (health index 23), 3 species over 96 observations.
Access & the rules
Confirm the launch, parking and any motor/float or seasonal restrictions for Cottonwood Lake locally before you commit a day; the map shows where the lake sits in its drainage.
Before you fish
Confirm the current BC freshwater fishing regulations (Region 4 – Kootenay) before you go. Official synopsis: gov.bc.ca fishing regulations.