Buffalo County

Buffalo County, Wisconsin, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Located in the Southwestern region along the Mississippi River, it’s renowned for exceptional hunting, fishing, and a rich outdoor lifestyle. The county is also home to some of the finest opportunities for Boone and Crockett records. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or an angler seeking tranquility, this area is a must-go-to destination.

The land area of the county is 712 square miles, or 448,364 acres. There are 17 civil townships—Alma being the county seat—so with a total population of 13,975 its density is only about 19 or 20 people per square mile. There are 22 named and unnamed lakes in the county, all of which are small and shallow, and together they total 358 acres. Of those named, Mirror Lake in Mondovi is the largest, with 44 acres, and one-half of the lakes have maximum depths of less than 5 feet.There are 8,390 acres of water and 73 miles of trout streams in the county. All or  part of 15 streams are classified as trout streams and are stocked with brook or brown trout. Trout habitat in most Buffalo County streams is marginal due to silt or sand-covered stream bottoms. Some of the larger, warm-water streams, which flow into the Mississippi, contain northern pike, walleye, bass, sunfish, as well as other sport fish species, including rough fish. The Mississippi River and its backwaters provide an extensive and varied fishery resource, including a commercial fishery.

As settlement expanded, communities began to form throughout Buffalo County. The county seat, Mondovi, was established in the mid-1800s and remains the largest city in the county today. Other early settlements included Eleva, Fountain City, Gilmanton, and Waumandee.