smallmouth buffalo Lakes in Minnesota
Found in 18 Minnesota lakes
Rough fish like smallmouth buffalo are often associated with eutrophic, nutrient-loaded waters. Their presence — documented in 18 Minnesota lakes — is often a signal of how the rest of the fishery is functioning. smallmouth buffalo is narrowly distributed — only 18 Minnesota lakes and 0 Wisconsin lakes 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 | St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake | Washington | C | 9.4 ft | 78 ft |
| 4 | Charley Lake | Ramsey | C | 4.6 ft | 21 ft |
| 5 | South Long Lake | Ramsey | C | 4.3 ft | 30 ft |
| 6 | Pool of Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 4.3 ft | 78 ft |
| 7 | Pool on Lake St. Croix Downstream of I94 Bridge | Washington | C | 5 ft | 78 ft |
| 8 | Pool on Lake St. Croix | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 9 | St. Croix 3.5 Mi. Downstream of E Chestnut St Lake | Washington | C | 5.9 ft | 78 ft |
| 10 | St. Croix 0.3 Mi. Downstream of I Lake | Washington | C | 6.1 ft | 78 ft |
| 11 | Long Lake | Stearns | D | 2.5 ft | 35 ft |
| 12 | Winona Lake | Winona | D | 2.6 ft | 38 ft |
| 13 | Big Swan Lake | Meeker | D | 2.5 ft | 32 ft |
| 14 | Duck Lake | Blue Earth | F | 2.8 ft | 25 ft |
| 15 | Circle Lake | Rice | F | 1.5 ft | 14 ft |
| 16 | Pepin Lake | Pepin | F | 3 ft | 60 ft |
| 17 | Spring Lake | Dakota | F | 2.1 ft | 17 ft |
| 18 | Little Tuttle Lake | Martin | F | 1 ft | 7 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Minnesota lakes have smallmouth buffalo?
smallmouth buffalo are found in 18 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, St. Croix 1.5 Mi. Upstream of Point Douglas Dr Lake, Charley Lake, South Long Lake.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.