Fishing at Butterball Lake, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska

• Overview

  Butterball Lake stands in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska. Elevation runs to 243 feet. The water measures roughly 13 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is a small entry by Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area standards. Nearest place of any size is Craig, 27 miles away. Vancouver is the closest city, 629 miles away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Butterball Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Public occurrence data for Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area names pink salmon, Chum salmon, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and sockeye salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Butterball Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 56°F and January reads 33°F. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Butterball Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Chuck Lake, 4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm access to Butterball Lake locally before you travel.