Little Butternut Lake
Polk County, Wisconsin
About Little Butternut Lake
Little Butternut Lake earns its reputation as one of Polk County's premier walleye fisheries, a mid-sized lake at 185 acres and up to 23 feet deep. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Iris) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 45% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 50% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
45.56810° N, 92.50210° W
WBIC 2640700 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Walleye feed most actively at dawn and dusk. Jig along deep structural breaks or troll crankbaits along weedlines at 6–8 ft depth.
- ·Night fishing under a full moon can produce excellent walleye results from late June through August.
- ·Northern pike are ambush predators — target weed edges, fallen timber, and points with large spoons or swimbaits.
- ·Spring pike fishing (ice-out through June) can be outstanding as they move into shallow, warming bays to spawn.
- ·Largemouth bass relate to shallow structure. Work topwater lures at dawn in summer, then switch to soft plastics rigged weedless around lily pads and fallen wood.
- ·Bluegill and crappie stack up in 8–15 ft of water near weedlines. Small jigs tipped with a waxworm are hard to beat.
- ·Panfish are often excellent for kids and beginners — look for them around any dock or submerged brush piles.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Sandy bottom sections make for good swimming. No lifeguard on duty — swim at your own risk.
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Nearby Dining
Looking for supper clubs and bait shops near Little Butternut Lake? Local dining recommendations coming soon.
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Insider Tips
Local knowledge about Little Butternut Lake — best times to visit, quiet spots, and what the regulars know. Contributed tips coming soon.
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Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Chinese Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Iris
Seasonal Notes
Coming soon
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Purple Loosestrife and Yellow Iris have been documented in Little Butternut Lake. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Little Butternut Lake?
Little Butternut Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Common), and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Butternut Lake?
Yes — Little Butternut Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Little Butternut Lake?
Little Butternut Lake has 185 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 23 feet, a mean depth of 8 feet.
What is the bottom of Little Butternut Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 45% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 50% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Little Butternut Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Purple Loosestrife and Yellow Iris have been documented in Little Butternut Lake. Please clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and all equipment before leaving any Wisconsin water body to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Where is Little Butternut Lake located?
Little Butternut Lake is located in Polk County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.5681° N, 92.5021° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Little Butternut Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Polk County lakes. Check our Little Butternut Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Polk County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Little Butternut Lake
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| 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. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | 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. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| 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. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 2640700
- County
- Polk County
- Surface Area
- 185 acres
- Max Depth
- 23 ft
- Mean Depth
- 8 ft
- Bottom
- 45% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 50% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.5681, -92.5021
Nearby Trails
Polk County ATV/UTV Trails
31 mi · Polk County
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
200 mi · Burnett/Polk County
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Little Butternut Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (1)
Public Boat Landing
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.