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Butternut Lake
Enhanced dataInteractive depth contours
Butternut LakePrice County, WI
Contours load with map Access
Interactive depth contours5-foot typical interval · Sonar-derived depth (C-MAP Genesis) · Gaps interpolated · Not for navigation
Source: C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived)high confidence · QA passed · Select a contour to inspect its mapped depthDepths decoded from C-MAP Genesis Social Map community sonar recordings (used with permission), covering 58% of the lake. Small gaps between recordings are smoothly connected; larger unrecorded areas follow the lake's depth model calibrated to the DNR-documented 32-ft maximum depth. More accurate than a pure model, but still an estimate. Not for navigation.LakeList assistant
Plan your lake day
Fishing spots, food, lodging, marinas, and rentals around Butternut Lake.
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Fishing forecast
Best windows for Butternut Lake
Weather-based planning built from the National Weather Service hourly forecast near this lake.
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Checking wind, precipitation, and near-term weather windows.
Water temperature
Butternut Lake water temperature today
Modeled surface-temperature estimate built from seasonal climate, lake depth, and live National Weather Service air temperatures near this lake.
74°FWarm
Seasonal estimate. Checking current National Weather Service air temperatures…
Comfortable summer pattern. Bass and panfish are active; early and late hours beat the midday heat.
Estimates are modeled, not measured. Actual temperatures vary with depth, wind mixing, and recent weather — verify conditions before swimming, boating, or heading onto ice.
Wisconsin DNR water assessment
Public-health advice and impairment listed
The DNR assessment indicates specific public-health advice for this waterbody. Review current official guidance before your trip or eating your catch.
303(d) / impairment recordSpecific public-health adviceRecreation restrictions noted
Mercury Contaminated Fish Tissue, Impairment Unknown, Excess Algal GrowthPollutants: Mercury, Total Phosphorus
- Status
- 303d Listed
- Public health
- Specific Advice
- Recreation
- Recreational Restrictions
- Aquatic life
- Not specified
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Review DNR water quality Check consumption advice Source updated 2026-03-25 · LakeList verified 2026-07-12
DNR water check
Water quality quick take
From Wisconsin DNR / Citizen Lake Monitoring readings at Butternut Lake - Deep Hole.
Sampled Jun 2026Volunteer monitoring since 1991
Somewhat hazy, algae-prone water — summer clarity of 3 ft ranks among the lowest of monitored Wisconsin lakes.
Based on July–August volunteer averages from 2024–2025; each value shows its own year.61Eutrophic5-yr summer TSI
Nutrient-rich, greener water — more algae and plant growth, common in shallower lakes.
Water claritySecchi disk depth
3 ftJul–Aug 2024 avg (2 readings)
HazyStable since 2017
Clearer than 18% of 596 monitored Wisconsin lakes with current readings.
AlgaeChlorophyll-a
27 µg/LJul–Aug 2025 avg (2 readings)
HighWorsening — up ~37% vs earlier years
NutrientsTotal phosphorus — fuels plant & algae growth
41 µg/LLatest single sample · 2025-07-21
Elevated2020–2025
Elevated phosphorus supports strong plant/algae growth pressure.
All readings by year · station details · methodology
Summer averages (July/August)
July/August means; counts in parentheses show how many samples went into each average.
| Year | Secchi | Chlorophyll-a | Total phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | 27.0 µg/L (2) | 41.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2024 | 3.0 ft (2) | 30.5 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2023 | 4.5 ft (1) | 18.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2022 | 3.7 ft (3) | 21.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2021 | 4.0 ft (1) | 16.5 µg/L (2) | 29.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2020 | 3.3 ft (7) | 17.5 µg/L (2) | 36.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2019 | 3.7 ft (4) | — | — |
| 2018 | 2.8 ft (3) | — | — |
| 2017 | 2.8 ft (1) | — | — |
| 2016 | 3.1 ft (2) | 23.0 µg/L (2) | — |
Latest individual samples: Secchi 4.5 ft (2025-06-06), chlorophyll-a 6 µg/L (2026-06-07), and total phosphorus 41 µg/L (2025-07-21).
Secchi clarity is how deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface — more feet means clearer water.
Chlorophyll-a is an algae pigment; higher values signal more algae in the water column.
Total phosphorus is a nutrient that feeds algae and aquatic plants. It is not a weed survey — depth, bottom type, water movement, and management change the actual lake experience.
Butternut Lake - Deep HoleStation 513121 · TSI based on chlorophyll
Modeled from DNR/CLMN monitoring — not a safety or swim-condition report. Verify current conditions locally. LakeList verified 2026-07-12.Official Wisconsin information
Plan with DNR sources
LakeList links to the authoritative record so you can verify maps, rules, and current notices before leaving.
Historical DNR depth maps2 converted map sheetsFishing regulationsVerify current seasons, limits, and restrictionsOfficial DNR lake pageFacts, advisories, boating, and water qualityWater quality reportsMonitoring stations, clarity, and DNR reportsInvasive speciesVerified, observed, and historical AIS recordsBoating ordinancesLocal slow-no-wake and water-use restrictionsFish consumption advisoriesStatewide and waterbody-specific health guidance
Historical depth maps are not for navigation. Verify regulations and access at the official source before your trip.
Historical Wisconsin DNR maps
Butternut Lake depth maps
2 converted map sheets. These historical surveys are not for navigation.
Navigable depth map
Butternut Lake · sheet 1
Pan, zoom, and inspect the converted Wisconsin DNR historical map image in the browser. Historical survey — not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin DNR · WBIC 2283300 · image navigation only; spatial alignment pending · Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Converted for browser access with source URLs, checksums, and retrieval dates retained. Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Fishbrain community activity
Recent catch activity
Aggregated public catch activity matched to Butternut Lake. Exact catch locations and angler details are not shown.
Most reported species in this extract
Largemouth bass1
Catch analytics
Seasonal fish catch patterns
Pick a species to see when anglers reported it, compare against all fish by month, then scan year-by-year catch volume.
Largemouth bass by monthMonthly reports tagged as Largemouth bass.
Jan
Feb
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Jun
Jul
Aug
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Nov
Dec
All fish by monthTotal public catch reports across every listed species.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
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Jun
Jul
Aug
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Dec
Yearly catch viewYear-by-year public catch volume.
No yearly catch aggregates yet.
Catch counts are community reports, not a population survey or a guarantee of current fishing conditions.
View source on Fishbrain983surface acres
32max depth feet
4public access points
45.9701, -90.5194latitude, longitude
Access
Public access points
Boat launchAccess at Cth B45.98248, -90.51742Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchButternut Lake Carry-In45.95321, -90.51593Managed by TOWNSHIPTOWN OF LAKERamp surface: UnimprovedLanding type: CARRY-INADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Boat launchButternut Lake - North Launch Access45.99630, -90.50337Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Boat launchGrants Landing45.96037, -90.52533Managed by TOWNSHIPTOWN OF LAKERamp surface: UnimprovedLanding type: CARRY-INADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Nearby
Trip-planning places
No nearby trip-planning places yet
Fishery
Notable species
MuskyWalleyePanfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikeSmallmouth BassSturgeon
Wisconsin DNR stocking
Fish stocking history
The latest published year is 2025, when 1,999 fish were recorded across 1 entry.
2025
Black CrappieUnspecified · Adult
1,9996.0 in average
2024
Black CrappieUnspecified · Adult
9206.0 in average
2023
Black CrappieUnspecified · Adult
1,0006.0 in average
2022
Black CrappieUnspecified · Adult
1,0006.0 in average
2021
Black CrappieUnspecified · Adult
9006.0 in average
2019
Black CrappieUnspecified · Adult
1,5006.0 in average
2017
Black CrappieUnspecified · Adult
6004.5 in average
2015
Black CrappieUnspecified · Adult
2,0004.5 in average
2012
Black CrappieUpper Mississippi River · Adult
1,4006.0 in average
Depth FAQ
How deep is Butternut Lake?
Butternut Lake is 32 feet deep at its deepest point and averages about 14 feet, according to Wisconsin DNR records.
Is there a free depth map of Butternut Lake?
Yes. LakeList publishes a free interactive depth contour map of Butternut Lake at a typical 5-foot interval, with an optional 3D underwater view, derived from C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived) survey data.
Where does the Butternut Lake depth map come from?
The interactive depth contours are derived from C-MAP Genesis community sonar (derived). Each contour set passes a visual QA review against the source document before it is published. The depths are derived from community sonar recordings (C-MAP Genesis Social Map, used with permission), with gaps between recordings interpolated; not for navigation.
Trust and freshness
Where this lake data comes from
Wisconsin DNR Lake Pagesname, coordinates, county, source identifiers
LakeList record updated 2026-07-12
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