Trenton Lake is a 1,011-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Williams County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 8 feet (3-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. The lake supports 11 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Black Crappie. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Williams County, Trenton Lake ranks #5 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2024-06-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Very murky, less than 1.5 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 4.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 58.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.5 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.2 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 58 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 8.1 ft |
| Average Depth | 3.2 ft |
| Surface Area | 1,011 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 16 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Trenton Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Trenton Lake
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #5 of 9 lakes in Williams County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Trenton Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Williams County
Explore Trenton Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Williams County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in North Dakota
Mountrail County · Clarity: 3 ft
Mountrail County · Clarity: 3.9 ft
Mountrail County · Clarity: 5.6 ft
Stark County · Clarity: 3.8 ft
Burke County · Clarity: 3.8 ft
Mountrail County · Clarity: 2.1 ft
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Trenton Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Safuels X Renewable Fuels FacilityWilliston · 4.1 mi away · NPDES ND0027031Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2024-06-11
Monitoring stations: 1