Butler Lake, Nova Scotia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Out in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, sits Butler Lake. The shore lies 3.5 km out. At 5 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The closest town, Musquodoboit Harbour, is 46 km distant. The nearest city of size is Dartmouth, 82 km away. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Butler Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Fish documented in Halifax Regional Municipality include brook trout, alewife and rainbow smelt. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Butler Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -5°C in February up to 18°C in August. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. The season between ice runs from about mid April to late December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Butler Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Bluff Lake sits 0.7 km off and takes the overflow. Ask locally about Butler Lake if anything is unclear.