smallmouth buffalo Lakes in Minnesota & Wisconsin
Other SpeciesFound in 18 lakes
Water Quality of smallmouth buffalo Lakes
Best smallmouth buffalo Lakes by Water Quality
Top 50 lakes with smallmouth buffalo ranked by overall water quality grade.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | B | 78 ft | 36 |
| 2 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 3 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 4 | Charley Lake | Ramsey | MN | C | 21 ft | 20 |
| 5 | South Long Lake | Ramsey | MN | C | 30 ft | 12 |
| 6 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 7 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 8 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 9 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 10 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | MN | C | 78 ft | 36 |
| 11 | Long Lake | Stearns | MN | D | 35 ft | 23 |
| 12 | Winona Lake | Winona | MN | D | 38 ft | 24 |
| 13 | Big Swan Lake | Meeker | MN | D | 32 ft | 23 |
| 14 | Duck Lake | Blue Earth | MN | F | 25 ft | 17 |
| 15 | Circle Lake | Rice | MN | F | 14 ft | 18 |
| 16 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | MN | F | 60 ft | 47 |
| 17 | Spring Lake | Dakota | MN | F | 17 ft | 21 |
| 18 | Little Tuttle Lake | Martin | MN | F | 7 ft | 20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have smallmouth buffalo?
smallmouth buffalo are found in 18 lakes across Minnesota and Wisconsin — 18 in Minnesota and 0 in Wisconsin. The average water quality grade of lakes with smallmouth buffalo is D (Poor).
What are the best lakes for smallmouth buffalo?
The best smallmouth buffalo lakes by water quality are Lake St. Croix, St. Croix Lake, St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake, Charley Lake, South Long Lake. These lakes have the highest water quality grades among all lakes where smallmouth buffalo have been documented by state DNR surveys.
What other fish are found with smallmouth buffalo?
smallmouth buffalo are most commonly found alongside black crappie, common carp, northern pike, walleye, black bullhead. These species share similar habitat preferences in the region's lakes.