Buffalo Pound Lake

Buffalo Pound Lake is a popular recreational, camping and fishing lake located 29km N of Moose Jaw. The lake is also the water source for around 25% of the province's population including Regina, Moose Jaw and the potash mine at Belle Plaine.

Highway 2 provides access to Buffalo Pound Lake and crosses the lake on a causeway. Where else in Saskatchewan can you drive across the middle of a lake in the summer? The provincial park is accessible from Highways 202 and 301.

Buffalo Pound Provincial Park is the main attraction on the lake and is located at the southeast corner of the lake. The park has hundreds of campsites, a beach, an outdoor pool, a boat launch, day-use areas, mountain bike and hiking trails, a trout pond, and so much more. It's a great family-friendly destination with lots to do for everyone!

There is also a Nature Conservancy of Canada property on the northern shore of the lake covering 2,140 acres that contains native grasslands and provides habitat for several species at risk.

The lakes in the Qu'Appelle River valley contain a surprisingly large number of fish species. Buffalo Pound Lake is no exception and contains Bigmouth Buffalo, Burbot, Common Carp, Goldeye, Whitefish, Suckers, Northern Pike, Walleye and Yellow Perch. (Note that there is a custom limit for Perch on Buffalo Pound Lake) The lake is regularly stocked with Walleye.

Buffalo Pound Lake is eutrophic and has low oxygen levels and nutritious soil on the bottom. This can lead to algae growth and reduces the quality of the lake for swimming and as a water source.

The water level on the lake is controlled by the Buffalo Pound Dam at the end of the lake. The level is further regulated by the Qu'Appelle River Dam and Gardiner Dam further upstream.

This lake has been personally visited by myself, Matthew Siemens.

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Details

Fishing Zone:	Southern Zone
Park:	Buffalo Pound Provincial Park
Location:	50.656265550525, -105.49993742485
Shore Length:	76km
Surface Area:	7093 acres
Max Depth:	5.6 m (18 ft)
Inflows:	Qu'Appelle River
Outflows:	Qu'Appelle River

About this page

Hi, this is Matthew Siemens. I wrote and compiled the data on this page from a variety of sources. Sources include government websites and data sources, public websites, personal experience, and user-submitted information. References for this page.

No AI is used to generate content anywhere on this site.

Discussion and Ratings

Directions to Buffalo Pound Lake

Accessible from Highways 202, 301 and 2.

View Lake on Google Maps

Get directions to a specific location:

Elmview Beach Maple Vale Beach Provincial Park Boat Launch Provincial Park Beach Provincial Park Pool Visitor Centre Disc Golf Beach Nicolle Flats Interpretive Area Buffalo Pound Dam Lower Chalet Campground Rankin's Campground Valley Campground Lakeside Campground Maple Vale Campground Shady Lane Campground Trails End Campground Lakeside Foods Buffalo Ridge Resort

Events

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Map

Explore Buffalo Pound Lake with our interactive map.

There is also a Nature Conservancy of Canada property on the northern shore of the lake covering 2,140 acres that contains native grasslands and provides habitat for several species at risk.

Buffalo Pound Lake is eutrophic and has low oxygen levels and nutritious soil on the bottom. This can lead to algae growth and reduces the quality of the lake for swimming and as a water source.

The water level on the lake is controlled by the Buffalo Pound Dam at the end of the lake. The level is further regulated by the Qu'Appelle River Dam and Gardiner Dam further upstream.

Buffalo Pound Provincial Park

Buffalo Pound Provincial Park is located at Buffalo Pound Lake.

Phone: (306) 694-3229
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/provincialpark/303/buffalo-pound-provincial-park

Fishing at Buffalo Pound Lake

Buffalo Pound Lake is in the southern fishing zone.

What fish are in Buffalo Pound Lake

Bigmouth Buffalo, Burbot, Cisco, Common Carp, Goldeye, Lake Whitefish, Northern Pike, Walleye, White Sucker and Yellow Perch can be found in Buffalo Pound Lake.

Learn all about fishing in Saskatchewan here.

Fishing Season

Fishing season on Buffalo Pound Lake is open from May 5, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

Fishing Limits for Buffalo Pound Lake

These are the limits for all fish species reported to be in Buffalo Pound Lake. **All fishing limits for Saskatchewan.**
Species	Limit
Bigmouth Buffalo	Limit 0
Burbot	Limit 8
Channel Catfish	Limit 1, which cannot exceed 60 cm
Goldeye	Limit 8
Lake Whitefish	Limit 8
Northern Pike	Limit 5, only one may exceed 75 cm
Yellow Perch	Limit 10 (Custom limit for Buffalo Pound Lake)
Walleye/Sauger/Saugeye	Limit 4, only one may exceed 55 cm

Disclaimer

Although we try our best to provide correct and updated information for every lake in Saskatchewan, all information on this site is provided to use at your own risk. Please reference the Saskatchewan Anglers Guide for more information.

Record of fish stocked in Buffalo Pound Lake

Stocked in 2024 with 63,000 Walleye Fry.

Stocked in 2023 with 474,000 Walleye Fry.

Stocked in 2022 with 260,000 Walleye Fry.

Stocked in 2019 with 524,000 Walleye Fry.

Stocked in 2018 with 5,500 Walleye Fingerlings and 103,000 Walleye Fry.

Boating at Buffalo Pound Lake

There is 1 boat launch/marina at Buffalo Pound Lake.

Provincial Park Boat Launch

Get your pleasure craft operator card prompt

Boating on Sask lakes • Get your boating license?

Camping at Buffalo Pound Lake

There are 7 campgrounds at Buffalo Pound Lake.

Lower Chalet Campground

Rankin's Campground

Valley Campground

Lakeside Campground

Maple Vale Campground

Shady Lane Campground

Trails End Campground

Beaches at Buffalo Pound Lake

There are 4 beaches at Buffalo Pound Lake.

Elmview Beach

Maple Vale Beach

Provincial Park Beach

Disc Golf Beach

Nearby Lakes

Photos

If you have any photos of Buffalo Pound Lake you would like to share please upload them.

Store closed up for the season.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

Accessible picnic spots near the beach.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

Cement launch with dock.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

Bigmouth Buffalo info sign.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

My truck in the parking lot at the visitor's centre.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

Park entry sign.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

Camping fees sign.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

Boat launch rules sign.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

Fish filleting shack.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

My truck in one of the campsites.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

Bike trails sign
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

View of the lake.
Uploaded by Matthew Siemens

Taken from Lakeside Campground
Uploaded by Stephen Lewry

Bathymetric (Depth) Charts for Buffalo Pound Lake

Old Provincial Bathy Charts

These maps were produced by the government a long time ago, using primitive methods. They are not intended for navigation and should not be expected to be accurate.

Bathymetric map for Buffalo_Pound.pdf — **bathy/buffalo_pound.pdf**

Buffalo Pound Provincial Park

Buffalo Pound Provincial Park is located at Buffalo Pound Lake.

Phone: (306) 694-3229
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/provincialpark/303/buffalo-pound-provincial-park

Get Directions

Elmview Beach

Sandy beach near the campground.

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Maple Vale Beach

Sandy beach.

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Provincial Park Boat Launch

Double cement launch with dock and fish filleting shack.

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Provincial Park Beach

Sandy beach with accessible mat down to the water.

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Nicolle Flats Interpretive Area

This area is located within the provincial park has an interpretive hiking trail and is a great spot to see some wildlife.

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Buffalo Pound Dam

Originally constructed in 1939 by the PFRA the dam was improved in 2000 and is now owned by the WSA. This embankment dam is around 1,400 metres long. A fish ladder was installed in 99-00 to make it easier for fish to get around the dam.

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