Smallmouth Buffalo Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 16 Minnesota lakes · 1 in North Dakota
Rough fish like Smallmouth Buffalo are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 1 Minnesota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. Smallmouth Buffalo is narrowly distributed — only 1 lakes in North Dakota have a documented record. The constraint is usually habitat: cold water, specific depth profile, or river connection.
Rough-fish-dominant lakes are worth checking the grade on: a rough-fish-heavy fishery often reflects an underlying nutrient-loading problem in the watershed. Cross-reference the Smallmouth Buffalo lake list below against the LakeGrade rubric: lakes with both an A or B grade and Smallmouth Buffalo documented are the best places to start for recreational targeting.
Best Smallmouth Buffalo Lakes in Minnesota
| Rank | Lake | County | Grade | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake St. Croix | Washington | B | 5.2 ft | 78 ft |
| 2 | St. Croix Lake | Washington | C | 8.7 ft | 78 ft |
| 3 | Charley Lake | Ramsey | C | 4.6 ft | 21 ft |
| 4 | South Long Lake | Ramsey | C | 3.9 ft | 30 ft |
| 5 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 6 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 7 | Winona Lake | Winona | D | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 8 | Big Swan Lake | Meeker | D | 2.6 ft | 32 ft |
| 9 | Long Lake | Stearns | F | 2.5 ft | 35 ft |
| 10 | Duck Lake | Blue Earth | F | 2.8 ft | 25 ft |
| 11 | Circle Lake | Rice | F | 1.5 ft | 14 ft |
| 12 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | F | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 13 | Spring Lake | Dakota | F | 2.1 ft | 17 ft |
| 14 | Little Tuttle Lake | Martin | F | 1 ft | 7 ft |
| 15 | Titlow Lake | Sibley | F | 0.3 ft | - |
| 16 | Bright Lake | Martin | F | 1 ft | 7 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have smallmouth buffalo?
Smallmouth Buffalo are found in 16 lakes in Minnesota. The average water quality grade of these lakes is D (Poor).
What are the best smallmouth buffalo lakes in Minnesota?
The best smallmouth buffalo lakes in Minnesota by water quality are Lake St. Croix, St. Croix Lake, Charley Lake, South Long Lake, Pool of Lake St. Croix.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.