Pine Lake near Trenton: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Pine Lake belongs to Grundy County, Missouri. It sits at 810 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 4 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Grundy County are larger. Nearest town is Trenton, 0.7 miles off. Chillicothe is 20 miles and Gallatin 21 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Pine Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Public occurrence data for Grundy County names channel catfish, goldeye, green sunfish, johnny darter and orangespotted sunfish. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Work Pine Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 77°F in July and bottom out at 24°F in January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Winter locks it down, and early March brings it back. Average temperatures cross freezing around early March in spring and again near late December in autumn. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. The season on Pine Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Public data has parking about half a mile from the shore. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Trenton City Reservoir, 0.3 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Pine Lake.