Fishing Lake Trenton in Williams County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Set in Williams County, Lake Trenton is a North Dakota water. Land around it is mixed forest. Williston sits 12 miles from the bank. Further out sit Sidney (28 miles) and Watford City (31 miles). Others worth noting: Shotgun Reservoir at about 21 miles, Epping Dam within 24 miles, Sather Lake at about 26 miles, Blacktail Lake within 27 miles and Factory Lake at about 27 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lake Trenton

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Williams County cover northern pike, Iowa darter and black bullhead. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The shape of Lake Trenton rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 11°F in January up to 71°F in July. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Count the season from break-up, usually early April. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Time your trip to Lake Trenton by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Shotgun Reservoir, 21 miles away. For Lake Trenton, the notice at the access point is the final word.