Butterfield

Crow Wing County

Near Fifty Lakes

DOW: 18023100

Rock BassGood · 69BluegillGood · 69PumpkinseedGood · 67

A 194-acre lake near Fifty Lakes in Crow Wing County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 1981.

Fish Species (8)

Rock Bass

Good · 69

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.44 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1981	1.75	-	0.44 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 24, 1981	0.33	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Good · 69

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 73.3 per trap net · typical 2.5–25 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1981	73.25	-	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 24, 1981	1.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 67

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 15.5 per trap net · typical 1.4–8.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1981	15.50	-	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 52

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 8–40.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1981	1.75	-	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 24, 1981	5.00	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 48

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–0.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1981	0.25	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 47

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.59 lbs

Catch rate: 7.3 per gill net · typical 4.6–11.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1981	7.33	-	1.59 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 24, 1981	0.75	-	1.42 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 43

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 1–7.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1981	2.00	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 24, 1981	0.75	-	0.83 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.82 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per gill net · typical 1–5.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1981	2.33	-	1.82 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 24, 1981	0.75	-	3.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best rock bass lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Rock Bass

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

June 24, 1981Test netting indicates a good Northern Pike population although fish are small. Also a good population of Crappies and Bluegills were present. Local r…

Test netting indicates a good Northern Pike population although fish are small. Also a good population of Crappies and Bluegills were present. Local reports indicated a good Largemouth Bass population also, though netting didn't show many.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Butterfield?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Rock Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass in Butterfield. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Butterfield?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Butterfield. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Butterfield?

Butterfield has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Butterfield last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Butterfield is from 1981. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Butterfield have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Butterfield in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Butterfield?

No — Butterfield has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide rock bass limit is: 30. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.