[1] The lake lies less than 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) to the north of Bulak village.

[2][3] Zholdybay lies off to the north of the Kokshetau Lakes and is part of the Ishim basin.

Along the shore of the lake there is a wide strip of black silt smelling of hydrogen sulfide.

Zholdybay freezes in early November and thaws in late April.

Smaller, but more famous, Lake Kopa lies about 20 kilometers (12 mi) to the ESE.