---
type: lake
name: "Buffalo Lake"
county: "Becker"
nearest_town: "Richwood"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 418
max_depth_ft: 38
latitude: 46.97014
longitude: -95.79217
lake_score: 63
dnr_lake_id: "03035000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/buffalo-lake
---

# Buffalo Lake

Lake in Becker County, Minnesota, near Richwood

- **Surface Area**: 418 acres
- **Max Depth**: 38 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 11.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 63/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Buffalo Lake is a 418-acre lake near Richwood in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 38 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.6 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 18, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Picnic Area

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 18
- **Years of record**: 9
- **Earliest**: 2021-04-03
- **Latest**: 2022-05-06

## Nearby Lakes

- [Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/rice-lake) - 1.9 miles, 231 acres
- [Little Sugar Bush Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/little-sugar-bush-lake) - 2.4 miles, 221 acres
- [Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/rock-lake) - 3.5 miles, 1,196 acres
- [Big Sugar Bush Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/big-sugar-bush-lake) - 5.1 miles, 522 acres
- [North Tamarack Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/north-tamarack-lake) - 6.4 miles, 1,442 acres
- [Little Floyd Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/little-floyd-lake) - 6.9 miles, 215 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.97014,-95.79217)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=03035000)
- [All lakes in Becker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/buffalo-lake)*