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Rating depth structure for lake trout.
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84-acre lake in Fraser-Fort George Regional District, British Columbia. The lake tops out around 39 ft. The depth chart comes from British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
On the chart, Butternut Lake draws 84 acres inside 2.1 miles of shoreline. Index 1.6 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 60% of this chart. Figure 0.8 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.3 mi at the beam. The water lies in Fraser-Fort George Regional District. The nearest mapped water is Mcintyre Lake, 3 mi to the north.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake trout in 10 to 39 ft. The depth story barely changes: 12 to 39 ft through summer, 10 to 39 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 33 ft range, prime in summer. Time it for early morning. Summer baits: a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (23 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (33 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 8 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Secondary point (8 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 10 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (33 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. Warm water sends them out to 8 to 30 ft; cold water stacks them in 8 to 39 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 23 ft range, prime in winter. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. Throw a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon until the fish tell you otherwise.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (23 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (23 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Come spring, look for lake whitefish tight to the bank in 12 to 39 ft. Through summer count on 12 to 39 ft; the winter hold is 12 to 39 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 33 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in early morning. A blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon is the honest summer answer here.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 45 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (23 ft) | Small jig + waxworm, Blade bait (small) |
| Summer | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 40 to 90 ft | dawn | Deep basin (33 ft) | Blade bait vertical, Small jigging spoon |
| Fall | 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (23 ft) | Small spoon (gold), Jig + plastic larva |
| Winter | 12 to 39 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 70 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (33 ft) | Jigging spoon + bead chain, Tungsten jig + waxie |
Structure-wise the chart holds 6 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 33 ft.
Access data: British Columbia Recreation Sites and Trails - Recreation Sites Subset; Government of British Columbia - Dual-Verified Provincial Crown Land Shoreline; Government of British Columbia - Dual-Verified Provincial Crown Land Shoreline. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for British Columbia waters are set by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis — and special regulations can apply to Butternut Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official British Columbia fishing regulations →
Butternut Lake is about 39 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target lake trout, rainbow trout, lake whitefish on Butternut Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 33 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For lake trout, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Butternut Lake is regulated by the BC freshwater fishing synopsis. Check the official British Columbia regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Mcintyre Lake 3 mi · Sabai Lake 5 mi · Tudyah Lake 5 mi · Warhorse Lake 5 mi · Monk Lake 8 mi · Windy Point Lake 8 mi · Swamp Grass Lake 8 mi · Iroquois Lake 9 mi · Mcleod Lake 9 mi · Grayling Lake 9 mi · Bruce Lake 11 mi · War Lake 13 mi
See how Butternut Lake stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in British Columbia · best lake trout lakes in British Columbia · best lake whitefish lakes in British Columbia
More water nearby: Fraser-Fort George Regional District fishing maps (188 charts). Browse all British Columbia fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Depth data: British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch, FISS lake surveys. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.