[2][3] The lake is located 35 km (22 mi) to the west of Astrakhanka, the district capital.

The now abolished village of Kainarskoye (Kazakh: Қайнарское), part of the Uzynkol Rural District, was located by the southern shore.

[4][5] Barshyn is a freshwater lake part of the Ishim river basin.

It is located about 4 km (2.5 mi) to the southwest of the Ishim river channel.

Fish and birds caught in the lake are important for the economy of nearby villages.