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Butternut Lake (Barron Co)
Mon Oct 26 – Wed Oct 28, 2026 · Central Time · Largemouth
- Shallow cover, points, creek mouths
- First light (first light CDT) → ~9 AM
- Use any ripple as cover
- Shade lines, docks, deeper edges
- Electronics for bait height first
- Slow down once the sun is overhead
- Revisit shallow shade as sun drops
- Topwater if the surface lays down
- Weekday traffic is lighter — work quiet pockets
Butternut Lake largemouth are in fall transition. Frosty nights are cooling the shallows fast, and bass are moving from summer cover to the deep edge of the green weeds and nearby drop-offs, where bluegill, perch and minnows gather.
Frosty nights are cooling the shallows fast, and bass are moving from summer cover to the deep edge of the green weeds and nearby drop-offs, where bluegill, perch and minnows gather. What's on the menu: bluegill, yellow perch, crayfish and minnows.
Northern pike. Pike patrol the green weeds and hit spinnerbaits, spoons and swimbaits, especially on the breeze.
Weekday traffic — lighter than the weekend. Fish early, give ramps and swim areas room.
Fixed Dam-controlled water. No shared generation/level feed this cycle — check the agency page the morning you fish; releases and pool levels change daily. Stay outside buoyed restricted zones.
| Item | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Permit / regs | Check the current Wisconsin DNR fishing regulations for Butternut Lake before you keep any fish. | |
| Clarity | Suspending jerkbait with long pauses in clear water Texas-rigged creature bait or worm on the deep weed edge. | |
Butternut Lake's two public landings, at the east and west ends of 29th Avenue, are the main public spots on this small lake. Fish only where posted rules allow, and keep the ramps clear for boaters. Because the lake is shallow, bass and panfish can be within casting range of shore.
Launch at either public landing at the east or west end of 29th Avenue. Butternut Lake is small enough to cover in one trip, morning is frosty and calm, so wait for the sun to warm things up.
Launch at either 29th Avenue public landing. Butternut Lake is shallow throughout, so idle carefully, trim up and watch for weeds. A smaller boat or one with a trolling motor is best suited to this lake.
Walking bait or popper over weed flats at first light. Hollow-body frog over the last green pads on calm mornings. Topwater usually fades once the sun gets high.
Spinnerbait or bladed jig along weed edges on windy days. Lipless crankbait ripped through the tops of weeds. Suspending jerkbait with long pauses in clear water.
Texas-rigged creature bait or worm on the deep weed edge. Drop-shot or wacky-rigged finesse worm on calm days. Football jig or Ned rig in green pumpkin on hard bottom.