Buffalo

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). 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.

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 were 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). 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. Fry stocking has been successful, and are stocked biennially, supplemented with surplus fry when available and as needed. The 2024 fry stocking was successful with a catch rate of 47.9/hr (on-time). Larger Walleye were captured at a rate of 112.5/hr and ranged in length from 9.8 to 25.8 inches. Age-2 (12 - 15 inches) Walleye made up 68% of the larger Walleye sampled.

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 were 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). 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. Fry stocking has been successful, and are stocked biennially, supplemented with surplus fry when available and as needed. The 2024 fry stocking was successful with a catch rate of 47.9/hr (on-time). Larger Walleye were captured at a rate of 112.5/hr and ranged in length from 9.8 to 25.8 inches. Age-2 (12 - 15 inches) Walleye made up 68% of the larger Walleye sampled.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass 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 33 feet and a mean depth of 14.7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Buffalo is from 2021.

Yes — Buffalo has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.