Buffalo Lake
Marquette County, Wisconsin
About Buffalo Lake
Buffalo Lake earns its reputation as one of Marquette County's premier walleye fisheries, covering 2,179 acres with a maximum depth of 8 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers target Catfish and Panfish. Note that invasive species (Brittle Waternymph, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Bottom composition: 15% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 85% muck
Type: flowage · Hydrology: DRAINAGE
Lake Location
43.77450° N, 89.40420° W
WBIC 168000 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Walleye feed most actively at dawn and dusk. Jig along deep structural breaks or troll crankbaits along weedlines at 6–8 ft depth.
- ·Night fishing under a full moon can produce excellent walleye results from late June through August.
- ·Northern pike are ambush predators — target weed edges, fallen timber, and points with large spoons or swimbaits.
- ·Spring pike fishing (ice-out through June) can be outstanding as they move into shallow, warming bays to spawn.
- ·Largemouth bass relate to shallow structure. Work topwater lures at dawn in summer, then switch to soft plastics rigged weedless around lily pads and fallen wood.
- ·Bluegill and crappie stack up in 8–15 ft of water near weedlines. Small jigs tipped with a waxworm are hard to beat.
- ·Panfish are often excellent for kids and beginners — look for them around any dock or submerged brush piles.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Buffalo Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. With 2,179 acres of water, there is plenty of room for boats and swimmers to share the lake comfortably.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Buffalo Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Buffalo Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Marquette County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Buffalo Lake is one of Marquette County's lesser-known gems — the kind of place locals return to year after year. Early mornings before 9am offer the calmest water and best fishing before boat traffic picks up. If you're visiting for the first time, check the DNR boat landing locations before you arrive — some are well-marked, others take a local to find. Know something about Buffalo Lake that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Brittle Waternymph, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil, Purple Loosestrife
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out arrives in late March to early April on southern Wisconsin lakes. Bass and panfish fishing is excellent from early May onward. Swimming season runs from early June through September. Fall color peaks in mid-October. Ice fishing is possible in most winters but season length varies — check conditions before heading out.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Brittle Waternymph and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife have been documented in Buffalo Lake. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Buffalo Lake?
Buffalo Lake is home to Catfish (Common), Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish (Common), and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Buffalo Lake?
Yes — Buffalo Lake has 4 boat landings providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Buffalo Lake?
Buffalo Lake has 2,179 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 8 feet, a mean depth of 5 feet.
What is the bottom of Buffalo Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 15% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 85% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Buffalo Lake?
Yes — Brittle Waternymph and Curly-Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water-Milfoil and Hybrid Eurasian / Northern Water-Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife have been documented in Buffalo Lake. Please clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and all equipment before leaving any Wisconsin water body to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Where is Buffalo Lake located?
Buffalo Lake is located in Marquette County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 43.7745° N, 89.4042° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Buffalo Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Marquette County lakes. Check our Buffalo Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Marquette County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Buffalo Lake
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | See specific species regulations in this group. | — |
| Channel Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25, 25 in total, but only 24 if one flathead catfish is included. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Flathead Catfish | May 2, 2026 to September 30, 2026 | The minimum length is 30, but flathead catfish from 36" to 42" may not be kept.The daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Muskellunge And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Northern Pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 26" and the daily bag limit is 2. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 15" and the daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 168000
- County
- Marquette County
- Surface Area
- 2,179 acres
- Max Depth
- 8 ft
- Mean Depth
- 5 ft
- Bottom
- 15% sand, 0% gravel, 0% rock, 85% muck
- Lake Type
- flowage
- Coordinates
- 43.7745, -89.4042
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Buffalo Lake? Let us know.
Boat Landings (4)
Town of Packwaukee · 608-589-5626
City of Montello · (608) 297-7420
Village of Endeavor · 608-587-2486
Highway Department · (608) 297-3078
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/29/2026.