[1][2] The lake is located 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) to the northwest of Sergeyev town, the administrative center of the district.

[3][1] Zhaltyr is an endorheic lake belonging to the Ishim River basin.

The lake has a roughly oval shape oriented from north to south.

Zhaltyr fills with snow and groundwater and it usually freezes in November and stays under ice until April.

[3][4] The Zhaltyr basin is surrounded by steppe vegetation and agricultural fields.