Buffalo

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Buffalo Lake was conducted on September 2-September 3, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA) staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at four stations. Nearshore sampling captured 9 species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter) and four that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, Green Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA staff. Eight trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured four species of fish. Black Bullhead and Black Crappie comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Black Bullhead and Northern Pike comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a June 2021 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Black Bullhead). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Buffalo Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Des Moines River - Headwaters watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Buffalo Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Buffalo Lake on May 30 2023, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 26 survey sites evenly spaced 100 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 91.5 (+/- 2.4) out of 100 possible. A score of 91.5 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is High (85-92). Approximately 38 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 81.8 (+/- 4.6) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Moderately High (80-85), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 97.5 (+/- 1.2) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Buffalo Lake on May 30 2023, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 26 survey sites evenly spaced 100 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 91.5 (+/- 2.4) out of 100 possible. A score of 91.5 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is High (85-92). Approximately 38 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 81.8 (+/- 4.6) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Moderately High (80-85), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 97.5 (+/- 1.2) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, White Crappie, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Walleye in Buffalo. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Buffalo. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Buffalo has a maximum depth of 8.5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Buffalo is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Buffalo in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.