Butternut Lake, Forest County Fishing
A 1,246-acre Wisconsin lake in Forest County, down to 42 feet.
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Butternut Lake, Forest County at a glance
Find a Lake puts Butternut Lake, Forest County at 1,246 acres, inside Forest County. Maximum depth on file is 42 feet. Three Lakes is the nearest community, about 11 miles away. The DNR manages it from the Northern Region. Biologists sort it into the complex two story lake class.
For walleye the WDNR notes stocking plus natural reproduction. Under state rules it holds the Outstanding Resource Water label. Ceded territory walleye rules apply here. Species on record are smallmouth bass, walleye, panfish and northern pike. You can put in at 2 public boat landings. Satellite readings put average clarity near 10.3 feet (2017).
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For Butternut Lake, Forest County, Find a Lake gives each fish group an abundance rating.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | Abundant |
| Walleye | Abundant |
| Panfish | Common |
| Northern Pike | Present |
Butternut Lake, Forest County walleye recruitment, per WDNR: stocking plus natural reproduction.
The class profile behind Butternut Lake, Forest County
“Complex two story lakes are able to support coldwater species – primarily cisco, and occasionally lake trout or lake whitefish. They have the potential to produce action and quality walleye fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Trailering to a landing on Butternut Lake, Forest County
- Butternut Lake – North Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, US Forest Service
- Butternut Lake – South Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, US Forest Service
Landings within a short drive of Butternut Lake, Forest County
- Three Johns Lake AccessThree Johns Lake, under a mile northeast
- Harriet Lake AccessHarriet Lake, under a mile south
- McKinley Lake AccessMcKinley Lake, under a mile northeast
- Franklin Lake AccessFranklin Lake, 1 mile northwest
- White Deer Lake AccessWhite Deer Lake, 2 miles southeast
- Luna Lake AccessLuna Lake, 2 miles southeast
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Clarity, bottom and depth at Butternut Lake, Forest County
Butternut Lake, Forest County has a bottom that is 40% sand, 40% gravel, 10% rock, 10% muck, according to WDNR.
The DNR calls Butternut Lake, Forest County a spring lake (groundwater fed, with an outlet stream).
WDNR records these invasives in Butternut Lake, Forest County: banded mystery snail, chinese mystery snail, rusty crayfish and spiny waterflea. Drain water and remove plants at the landing.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Keeper rules for Butternut Lake, Forest County
Seasons, size limits and daily bags below are copied from the WDNR entry for Butternut Lake, Forest County.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length, but largemouth bass and smallmouth bass from 14" to 18" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. The daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | No minimum length, but largemouth bass from 14" to 18" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. The daily bag limit is 5. |
| Smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
WDNR attaches this general rule to Butternut Lake, Forest County: Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
For all of Forest County the guide reads: Forest County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). With the exceptions below, Northern Bass Zone rules apply (see page 12). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
Zone check for Butternut Lake, Forest County: north of Hwy 10, Northern Bass Zone.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
How Butternut Lake, Forest County compares nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butternut Lake, Forest County | 1,246 | 42 | 2 | complex two story | |
| Harmony Lake, Forest County | under a mile southwest | 44 | 17 | 0 | complex warm clear |
| Three Johns Lake | under a mile northeast | 48 | 42 | 1 | simple cool clear |
| Harriet Lake, Forest County | 1 mile south | 23 | 15 | 1 | simple warm dark |
| McKinley Lake, Forest County | 1 mile northeast | 48 | 20 | 1 | simple cool clear |
| White Deer Lake | 1 mile southeast | 62 | 50 | 1 | simple cool clear |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Around Butternut Lake, Forest County
Lakes a few miles from Butternut Lake, Forest County
- Harmony Lake, Forest Countyunder a mile southwest
- Three Johns Lakeunder a mile northeast
- Harriet Lake, Forest County1 mile south
- McKinley Lake, Forest County1 mile northeast
- White Deer Lake1 mile southeast
Bait and gear stops around Butternut Lake, Forest County
- Boat Sport Marinamarina, Eagle River, 9 miles
- Patriot Baits And Jigsbait and tackle shop, Three Lakes, 11 miles
- R & M Musky Shopbait and tackle shop, Eagle River, 14 miles
- Northern Waters Angling & Archerybait and tackle shop, Conover, 16 miles
- The Fishermans Outpostbait and tackle shop, Conover, 16 miles
- Hawks Nest Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Eagle River, 18 miles
Towns close to Butternut Lake, Forest County
- Three Lakes11 miles
- Eagle River13 miles
- Long Lake16 miles
The county side of Butternut Lake, Forest County
- Forest Countyseat: Crandon
A Piscifun kit for Butternut Lake, Forest County
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Sport fish found around Butternut Lake, Forest County
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Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
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Before a trip to Butternut Lake, Forest County, the short answers
Where is Butternut Lake, Forest County on a Wisconsin map?
The lake lies in Forest County, WDNR Northern Region, about 11 miles from Three Lakes.
What maximum depth does the WDNR list for Butternut Lake, Forest County?
Find a Lake gives 1,246 acres and 42 feet at the deepest.
How many landings does Butternut Lake, Forest County have?
2 mapped landings; Butternut Lake – North Access is the largest.
What species are in Butternut Lake, Forest County?
smallmouth bass (abundant), walleye (abundant), panfish (common) and northern pike (present), per the WDNR.
What are the walleye rules on Butternut Lake, Forest County?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids rule: The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
What does a Wisconsin license cost for a trip to Butternut Lake, Forest County?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
What is the bottom of Butternut Lake, Forest County like?
Satellite clarity about 10.3 feet (2017). Bottom: 40% sand, 40% gravel, 10% rock, 10% muck. WDNR class: complex two story. Type: spring-fed.
Is there a tackle store near Butternut Lake, Forest County?
Boat Sport Marina is nearest at 9 miles.
What invasive species has the DNR found in Butternut Lake, Forest County?
WDNR lists banded mystery snail, chinese mystery snail, rusty crayfish and spiny waterflea.
Make a weekend of Butternut Lake, Forest County
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