Minnesota · Wright County
Buffalo Lake Fishing guide
Buffalo Lake is a 1,552-acre lake in Wright County, Minnesota, reaching 33 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 3.1 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 20 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Excellent numbers8.8per gill net14"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 181 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 29 fish
2025Lengths measured · 325 fish
2024Lengths measured · 146 fish
2024Lengths measured · 244 fish
2023Largemouth bassFair numbers29.1per hr (electrofishing)10"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 61 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 55 fish
2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2021Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2018Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 71 fish
2013Smallmouth bassFair numbers13.1per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 25 fish
2024Lengths measured · 3 fish
2021Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2018Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 19 fish
2013Northern pikeJust a few3.8per gill net24"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 82 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 62 fish
2024Lengths measured · 20 fish
2021Lengths measured · 25 fish
2018Lengths measured · 60 fish
2013BluegillJust a few24.5per trap net4"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 724 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 179 fish
2024Lengths measured · 545 fish
2021Lengths measured · 10 fish
2018Lengths measured · 71 fish
2013CrappieJust a few5.8per trap net4"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 327 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 88 fish
2024Lengths measured · 239 fish
2021Lengths measured · 242 fish
2018Lengths measured · 475 fish
2013Yellow perchExcellent numbers30.6per gill net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 647 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 494 fish
2024Lengths measured · 153 fish
2021Lengths measured · 67 fish
2018Lengths measured · 98 fish
2013Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Buffalo Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.1 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. In 3.1 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 24" | — | — |
| 2024 | 27" | 18" | 18" |
| 2023 | 27" | — | — |
| 2022 | 27" | — | — |
| 2021 | 27" | 13" | 16" |
| 2018 | 25" | 11" | 16" |
| 2016 | 22" | — | — |
| 2015 | 22" | — | — |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 760,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 760,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 760,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 760,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Buffalo Lake is a 1,552-acre general development lake located within the City of Buffalo in Wright County and is within the North Fork Crow River watershed. The lake has a maximum depth of 33 feet with an average depth of 15 feet, but poor water quality with a 10-yr average summer water clarity of three feet.
Walleye fingerling stocking in Buffalo Lake began in 1945 and was stocked every 1-3 years until 1985. Fry were first stocked in 1984, with fry stocking being the stocking strategy since 1988. Fry are stocked at a rate of 1,000 fry/littoral acre (760,000) during even numbered years but have been stocked at higher rates when surplus fry have been available. Fall electrofishing results for Young of the Year (YOY) Walleye have been highly variable; however, nine out of the past fourteen stockings have been successful (>25/hr).
Read the full DNR narrative
Fall electrofishing has been conducted in a few years where Walleye were not stocked, and low numbers of YOY Walleye have been found. Electrofishing in October 2023 yielded a YOY catch rate of 6.7/hr (on time), which indicates that there is some level of natural reproduction, but it is unlikely to be enough to support a popular fishery such as Buffalo Lake. The 2024 fry stocking was successful with a catch rate of 47.9/hr. Larger Walleye (age ?1) were captured at a rate of 112.5/hr and ranged in length from 9.8 to 25.8 inches.
Fall electrofishing in October 2025 (a non-stocked year) yielded a low YOY Walleye catch rate of 2.1/hr, consistent with the limited natural reproduction observed in previous non-stocking years such as 2023. Larger Walleye (age ?1) were captured at a rate of 12.8/hr and ranged in length from 13.2 to 24.3 inches.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Buffalo Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Buffalo Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Buffalo Lake (E) (trailer launch)
- Buffalo Lake (N) (trailer launch)
- Buffalo Lake (S) (trailer launch)
- Buffalo Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
- Buffalo Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
- Buffalo Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Buffalo Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Mink Lake · 94 ac · 1 mi
- South Berthiaume Lake · 20 ac · 1.5 mi
- Deer Lake · 171 ac · 1.5 mi
- North Berthiaume Lake · 24 ac · 1.7 mi
- Goose Lake · 52 ac · 1.9 mi
- Albert Lake · 58 ac · 2.5 mi
- South Twin Lake · 44 ac · 2.6 mi
- North Twin Lake · 49 ac · 3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Buffalo Lake?
Buffalo Lake reaches 33 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 14.7 ft; about 49% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Buffalo Lake?
Buffalo Lake covers 1,552 acres with about 6.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Buffalo Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Buffalo Lake average 3.1 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Buffalo Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is Buffalo Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Buffalo Lake have a public access?
Yes. Buffalo Lake has 6 public access sites, including Buffalo Lake (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Buffalo Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2015.
When was Buffalo Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Buffalo Lake in 2025, the most recent of 20 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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