[1] Novoishim town, the administrative center of the district, is located approximately 24 kilometers (15 mi) to the north of the lake.

[2] Ulykol occupies a tectonic depression at the southern end of the West Siberian Plain.

It lies about 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) to the east of the left bank of river Ishim.

The lakeshore is mostly steep, except for short stretches in the southwest and northwest where it is gently sloping.

[1] The vegetation near Ulykol is steppe where fescue, sedges and grasses predominate.