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Cotton Lake

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Florida, United States

3.5·12 catches

Top fish species at Cotton Lake

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Check which species have trophy potential in Cotton Lake

Cotton Lake fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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Warmouth

6 in · 3 oz

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Golden shiner

length · weight

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Bluegill

length · weight

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Bluegill

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

length · weight

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General info

Cotton Lake is a lake located in Escambia County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Bluegill, Chain pickerel, and Warmouth.

Location

30°47′5.5″N 87°18′49.2″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Cotton Lake, FL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Florida can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Bluegill

Bluegill

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters
Bag limit50

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit50

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

RequirementKeep intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Special gear

FL FW Game Fish

Freshwater game fish may only be taken with pole-and-line or rod-and-reel. There is no limit on the number of rods an angler may use.

Restrictions & requirements

Keep Intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Additional information
No minimum size. Whole pickerel or panfish (e.g., bluegill, redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish, flier, warmouth) or parts thereof may be used as bait for sportfishing by the angler who caught them. Whole pickerel or bream or parts thereof may not be used as bait for trotlines or bush hooks or any method other than by rod and reel or pole and line.
Edibility
Catch, Clean, Cook Bluegill
Synonyms
Lepomis macrochirus
Season open: year-round
Chain pickerel

Chain pickerel

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters
Additional information
No bag limit. No minimum size. No closed season. Whole pickerel or panfish (e.g., bluegill, redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish, flier, warmouth) or parts thereof may be used as bait for sportfishing by the angler who caught them. Whole pickerel or bream or parts thereof may not be used as bait for trotlines or bush hooks or any method other than by rod and reel or pole and line.
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Esox niger
Season open: year-round
Warmouth

Warmouth

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters
Bag limit50

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit50

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

RequirementKeep intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Special gear

FL FW Game Fish

Freshwater game fish may only be taken with pole-and-line or rod-and-reel. There is no limit on the number of rods an angler may use.

Restrictions & requirements

Keep Intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Additional information
No minimum size. Whole panfish (e.g., bluegill, redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish, flier, warmouth) or parts thereof may be used as bait for sportfishing by the angler who caught them. Whole pickerel or bream or parts thereof may not be used as bait for trotlines or bush hooks or any method other than by rod and reel or pole and line.
Edibility
Very good
Synonyms
Lepomis gulosus
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Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Reviews of Cotton Lake

3.5
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2 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

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4.9 miles away

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Point Baker

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Mount Carmel

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Ensley

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Berrydale

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Mulat

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Ferry Pass

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Avalon

21.3 miles away

Dixonville

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East Milton

23.8 miles away

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FAQ about Cotton Lake fishing

📍 Where is Cotton Lake located?
Cotton Lake is a lake located in Escambia County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
30°47′5.5″N 87°18′49.2″W
.
🎣 Where on Cotton Lake is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Cotton Lake by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Cotton Lake?
The most common species in Cotton Lake are:
  • Bluegill - 1 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Chain pickerel - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Warmouth - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Cotton Lake fishing reports?
The latest Cotton Lake fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Cotton Lake right now?
According to fishing regulations at Cotton Lake, some of the species in season this October include: Spotted seatrout, Common snook, Northern red snapper, Fat snook, and Atlantic bluefin tuna. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Cotton Lake?

Fishing in Florida requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Freshwater, saltwater, or combination licenses are available for residents and visitors, purchasable online, by phone, or at authorized retailers.

In Florida, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license
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