There is some residential development, but lots of open shoreline. Two public boat landings. The better of the two, the one at Highway B, has a pier. There's one large island in the lake, with an inhabited cabin on it. There are many bays and inlets.
Water is fairly dark, with little algae growth.
Locals say it is a very clean, excellent swimming lake. Those of us who prize the fishing on Butternut want to keep it that way. For me, that means releasing any walleye bigger than 18 inches, or retaining only the panfish I can eat right-then. Almost every musky is released. So use your camera, and retain a photo memory.