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Butterfield Lake

Theresa · Alexandria, New York — Jefferson County.

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1,031Surface acres
1Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 131860521).

Location & fast facts

Where Butterfield Lake is in New York

The red circle marks Butterfield Lake.

Fast facts

About Butterfield Lake

  • County: Jefferson
  • Shore towns: Theresa, Alexandria
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Distance: about 153 mi from Albany and 90 mi from Syracuse, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline.

Fishing in New York

Official NYSDEC pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Boating. 1 public trailer launch listed (see access)
  • Fishing. Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Yellow perch and Sunfish
  • Camping. 4 campgrounds within 15 mi (list)

Watch for

  • Non-native/invasive species. Zebra mussel, Eurasian watermilfoil and Curly-leaf pondweed recorded. Clean, drain and dry your boat and gear.
  • Boat traffic. A public trailer launch means motorboats share the water; expect more traffic on summer weekends.
  • Cold water. Water stays cold well into late spring and turns cold again in fall. Wear a life jacket when paddling in the shoulder seasons.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Official fishing data (NYSDEC)

Fish species listed by NYSDEC for this recommended fishing water: Smallmouth bass, Sunfish, Yellow perch, Northern pike.

Stocked by the state: Walleye (2011–2025, 15 years; 45,036,660 fish in all, fry included)

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: Recommended Fishing Lakes and Ponds and Fish Stocking Lists (2011 on) on data.ny.gov, records for Butterfield Lake (Jefferson County). NYSDEC page.

Lake map

Butterfield Lake shoreline, boat launches & beaches

Butterfield Lake DEC boat launch (Boat launch)11 mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Boat launch
  1. 1Butterfield Lake DEC boat launch
    Boat launch · Theresa

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 131860521), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: NYSDEC boat launch sites (data.ny.gov). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near Butterfield Lake

We found 4 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Butterfield Lake. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

All campgrounds & RV parks in New York

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (44.3200, -75.7754). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Butterfield Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Butterfield Lake

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in ET (America/New_York), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    1 public access site listed, 1 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    Butterfield Lake DEC boat launchTheresaNYSDECTrailer - Improved · Yes ramp27 trailer—Boating
    Restrooms
    44.2993, -75.7956

    NYSDEC boat launch sites (data.ny.gov)

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Non-native/invasive species

    Reported on or near Butterfield Lake

    Clean, Drain, Dry. Remove plants and mud, drain all water, and dry your boat, trailer and gear before moving to another water.

    USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database

    USGS records matched to this water by location (within about 150 m of the outline) or by the place name in the record. A record shows a sighting was reported; it doesn't prove the species is still there. As of Oct 10, 2026.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Butterfield Lake

    How big is Butterfield Lake?

    Butterfield Lake covers about 1,031 acres in Theresa and Alexandria, New York (Jefferson County).

    What fish are in Butterfield Lake?

    NYSDEC fishing and stocking data lists Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Yellow perch and Sunfish.

    Is there a public boat launch on Butterfield Lake?

    Yes. 1 public trailer launch is listed: Butterfield Lake DEC boat launch. Check posted fees and parking rules.

    Are there campgrounds near Butterfield Lake?

    Yes. We list 4 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles.

    What towns are on Butterfield Lake?

    Butterfield Lake touches Theresa and Alexandria in Jefferson County, New York.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Butterfield Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All New York lakes & ponds · All waters in Theresa