Butterfield Lake Fishing
A 1,031-acre New York lake in Jefferson County.
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A first visit to Butterfield Lake
Measured from its NHD outline, Butterfield Lake covers roughly 1,031 acres of Jefferson County. The DEC record gives DEC as owner. About 2 miles separates the water from Redwood. Fisheries staff for Western Adirondacks and Eastern Lake Ontario look after it.
The DEC species column lists smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, northern pike, longnose gar and walleye. The access data show 1 mapped launch. Launch type, per DEC: trailer improved. For hard water, DEC notes ice fishing permitted. The DEC lists record 15 stocking years since 2011.
NYS Hydrography (NHD) outline, DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds, Census places, retrieved October 24, 2026.
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This fish list for Butterfield Lake draws on DEC listings and stocking files, not a netting survey.
DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds species column, DEC stocking lists and state records, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Launch ramps serving Butterfield Lake
- Public Launch on Butterfield Lakehard surface ramp, 27 car-and-trailer spaces, toilets; managed by DEC
Ramps in the neighborhood of Butterfield Lake
- Public Launch on Millsite LakeMillsite Lake, 2 miles south
- Public Launch on Lake of the WoodsLake of the Woods, 2 miles east
- Public Launch on Sixberry LakeSixberry Lake, 3 miles south
- Public Launch on Grass LakeGrass Lake, 3 miles northeast
- Indian River Wildlife Management Area on Red LakeRed Lake, 4 miles southeast
- Indian River Wildlife Management AreaIndian River, 4 miles south
DEC boat launch and fishing access layers, retrieved October 24, 2026.
The take-home rules for Butterfield Lake
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | 3; minimum 21" | Apr 1 – Oct 15 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (Jun 15 to Nov 30) | 5; minimum 12" | Jun 15 – Nov 30 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (Dec 1 to Jun 14) | No harvest; Catch and release only | Dec 1 – Jun 14 |
| Muskellunge | 1; minimum 40" | Jun 1 – Nov 30 |
| Tiger muskellunge | 1; minimum 30" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Northern pike | 5; minimum 18" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Chain pickerel | 5; minimum 15" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Walleye | 5; minimum 15" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Black and white crappie | 25; minimum 10" | All year |
| Yellow perch | 50 | All year |
| Sunfish | 25 | All year |
| American eel | 25; minimum 9" | All year |
Statewide seasons and sizes set the baseline at Butterfield Lake.
Local rules for Butterfield Lake
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season | Listed under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 3; minimum 18" | May 1 – Mar 15 | Jefferson County |
2026 DEC freshwater fishing regulations (statewide table effective April 1, 2026); county special regulations from the DEC region pages; retrieved October 24, 2026, figures checked against the DEC pages October 25, 2026.
Latest stocking years at Butterfield Lake
From 2023 through 2025, DEC logged 3 releases into Butterfield Lake, with walleye the main fish.
| Year | Species | Type | Entries | Fish | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | stocked | 1 | 3,020,000 | 0.3 in |
| 2024 | Walleye | stocked | 1 | 3,020,000 | 0.3 in |
| 2023 | Walleye | stocked | 1 | 3,020,000 | 0.3 in |
DEC Fish Stocking Lists (Actual), 2023 to 2025, and DEC Current Season Spring Trout Stocking, 2026 (data.ny.gov), retrieved October 24, 2026. New York stocking.
Butterfield Lake in the New York record book
| Species | Weight | Angler | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gar, Longnose | 15 lb. 14 oz. | Chuck Zimmerman | 2024 |
DEC current state record fish table, retrieved October 24, 2026. All New York records.
Butterfield Lake and the lakes that ring it
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | DEC species | Stocked 2023-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butterfield Lake | 1,031 | 1 | 6 | yes | |
| Millsite Lake | 2 miles south | 487 | 1 | 6 | yes |
| Lake of the Woods | 2 miles east | 180 | 1 | 7 | yes |
| Sixberry Lake | 3 miles south | 127 | 1 | 8 | yes |
| Grass Lake | 4 miles east | 341 | 1 | 6 | yes |
| Clear Lake, Jefferson County | 4 miles southwest | 166 | 0 | 4 |
NYS Hydrography, DEC launch layers, DEC lake list and stocking lists, retrieved October 24, 2026.
Nearby to Butterfield Lake, by distance
More lakes a short drive from Butterfield Lake
- Millsite Lake2 miles south
- Lake of the Woods2 miles east
- Sixberry Lake3 miles south
- Grass Lake4 miles east
- Clear Lake, Jefferson County4 miles southwest
Tackle sellers serving Butterfield Lake
- Butterfield Lake Waterway Accessmarina, Jefferson, 2 miles
- Millsite Lake Fishing Accessmarina, Jefferson, 2 miles
- Lake Of The Woods Waterway Accessmarina, Jefferson, 2 miles
- Carnegie Bay Marinamarina, Jefferson, 7 miles
- Swan Bay Marinamarina, Jefferson, 10 miles
- Thousand Island Bait Storebait and tackle shop, Alexandria Bay, 10 miles
A day with a guide on Butterfield Lake
- Adirondack Wilderness Experienfishing guide, Adirondack, Alexandria Bay
- Grindstone Isl. Hunting Guidefishing guide, Clayton
- Lots A Limits Charters/Guide Scharter, Henderson Harbor
- Storino Outdoors/Empire State Deer Recoveryfishing guide, Watertown
Home bases for trips to Butterfield Lake
- Philadelphia12 miles
- Gouverneur15 miles
- Clayton16 miles
Butterfield Lake across county lines
- Jefferson Countycounty seat Watertown
Piscifun kit that suits Butterfield Lake water
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The fish of Butterfield Lake, pictured one by one
Photo: Tommy Andriollo, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Amada44, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: hug_78, CC BY 2.0
What gets asked about Butterfield Lake
How far is Butterfield Lake from the nearest New York town?
It lies in Jefferson County, DEC Western Adirondacks and Eastern Lake Ontario, about 2 miles from Redwood.
What acreage is Butterfield Lake?
Close to 1,031 acres by state hydrography.
Where do I put a boat in at Butterfield Lake?
Start at Public Launch on Butterfield Lake, one of 1 mapped launch.
What might bend the rod at Butterfield Lake?
Records show smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, northern pike, longnose gar and walleye.
Which minimum sizes does DEC set at Butterfield Lake?
Largemouth and smallmouth bass (Jun 15 to Nov 30): 5; minimum 12"; Jun 15 – Nov 30. County special regulations name it as well; see the table above.
Does Butterfield Lake need a trout stamp?
Anglers 16 and older need a DEC freshwater fishing license: $25.00 a year for residents, $50.00 for nonresidents, $5.00 for residents 70 and older, with 1-day and 7-day options.
How often is Butterfield Lake stocked?
DEC lists 3 stockings, the latest in 2025.
Where is bait sold on the drive to Butterfield Lake?
Nearest on our list: Butterfield Lake Waterway Access, 2 miles.
Did a record fish come out of Butterfield Lake?
Gar, Longnose, 15 lb. 14 oz., by Chuck Zimmerman in 2024.
Is ice fishing allowed on Butterfield Lake?
Ice Fishing Permitted, per DEC.
Put Butterfield Lake on the New York trip list
Get the DEC license squared away online first.