Trout Lake near Boonville: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in Cooper County, Missouri, sits Trout Lake. It sits at 784 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 3 acres — small enough to read in one session. Boonville lies 2.1 miles from the water. The nearest city of size is Columbia, 24 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing. Access points are few, so the middle stretches see little traffic.

• Where to Fish on Trout Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Survey and observation records for Cooper County include channel catfish, blue catfish, shortnose gar and silver carp. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Trout Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 78°F and January about 28°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Plan around that when you fish Trout Lake. Wind direction matters more than wind strength.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. There is a car park half a mile from the bank. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. McCoy Number 1 Reservoir sits 0.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat Trout Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.