The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Hugh Butler Lake
Frontier County, Nebraska · 1,630 acres (2.5 sq mi)
58°F water, windy Friday (20 mph SE).
About Hugh Butler Lake
Hugh Butler Lake is a reservoir in Frontier County, Nebraska, covering 1,630 acres. Red Willow Dam holds it back on the Willow Creek. Hugh Butler Lake is impounded by Red Willow Dam on Willow Creek in Frontier County.
From end to end it runs about 3.9 miles with roughly 15.1 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 2,570 ft above sea level. The nearest town, McCook, is about 11 miles south.
- Size
- 1,630 acres (2.5 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 15.1 miles
- End to end
- About 3.9 miles
- Elevation
- About 2,570 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Red Willow Dam, Willow Creek
- County
- Frontier County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Fair
- 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 20 mph
Sunday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 10 mph
- 4:45 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 15 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Hugh Butler Lake
Hugh Butler Lake holds walleye, crappie, white bass, catfish and striped bass. At 58°F on the surface right now, here is how each one should behave.
- GoodWalleye
Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- GoodWhite bass
Schools chasing bait on points. Watch for splashes.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
- GoodStriped bass
Comfortable range. Watch for birds and surface feeding.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:26 am · sunset 5:26 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Hugh Butler Lake
- McCookabout 11 mi south
- Hayes Centerabout 17 mi northwest
- Stockvilleabout 18 mi northeast
- Trentonabout 20 mi southwest
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Questions about Hugh Butler Lake
What fish are in Hugh Butler Lake?
Hugh Butler Lake holds walleye, crappie, white bass, catfish and striped bass. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Hugh Butler Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Hugh Butler Lake?
1,630 acres, with about 15.1 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Hugh Butler Lake?
McCook is about 11 miles south; Hayes Center is about 17 miles northwest.
What is the water temperature at Hugh Butler Lake today?
The surface was about 58°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Hugh Butler Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
