Butternut Lake (Forest County)
Butternut Lake is a 1,246-acre, very clear lake in Forest County with a maximum depth of 42 feet. WDNR lists smallmouth bass and walleye as abundant, panfish as common and northern pike as present.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Smallmouth Bass
Abundant per WDNR; praised as a trophy fishery
Walleye
Abundant per WDNR
Bluegill
Panfish common
Yellow Perch
Panfish common
Northern Pike
Present
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Public boat landingPublicWDNR lists 2 public boat landingsDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the WDNR lake page for all landingsDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 | 15 in (no 20-24 in; 1 over 24 in) | 3 / day |
| Largemouth Bass May 2-June 19, 2026 | None (14-18 in may not be kept) | 5 / day (only 1 over 18 in) |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass June 20, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 | None (14-18 in may not be kept) | 5 / day (only 1 over 18 in) |
| Smallmouth Bass May 2-June 19, 2026; catch and release only | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 0 / day |
| Northern Pike May 2, 2026-Mar 7, 2027 | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
| Muskellunge May 2-Dec 31, 2026; open water only | 40 in | 1 / day |
| Panfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 25 / day |
| Catfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Lake Sturgeon Closed; no fishing allowed | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 0 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Wisconsin DNR ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Tamarack OutfittersNearby209 E Pioneer St, Crandon, WI 54520(715) 478-1455Directions ↗
Local tips
- Gravel and sand bottoms hold smallmouth: fish rock and gravel points
- Very clear water favors finesse presentations
- Clean boat: spiny waterflea and other invasives are present
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.