Warden Lake
May 22, 2026
version 1.0
Warden Lake near north public launch
Warden Lake is located east of the O'Sullivan Dam, the one that forms the Potholes Reservoir near Othello, Washington. Take State Highway 262 east from the dam approximately 4.25 miles to reach the public access area near the north end of the lake.
This lake seems to be used as a dumping ground for hatchery rainbow trout, and this fact is starting to become well known within the hispanic population around Moses Lake or Othello. They often dot the less brushy spots along the north and southwest shorelines.
This is one of the more relliable spring season lakes. It opens at the third weekend in April, like many other lakes, and closes early on September 30. Even though power baits drag numerous trout out of the lake through the summer, there tend to be lots of carryovers anyway. Hooking into a 16 inch trout that launches itself 3 feet out of the water is not terribly unsual. However, the lake tends to be highly active for smallmouth bass, which is why I go there. There are also a few largemouth bass, and typically plenty of aggressive perch.
The lake has no direct connection to the Potholes or Seep Lakes areas around the dam, but seems to be seasonally fed from local runoff water so water levels are somewhat regular. The depth ranges from about 30 feet near the launch, about 70 feet in the central lake, to about 40 feet near the south end. There are shallows at the north and south ends, plus there is a narrow bay in the central area. Most of the shore is brushy, with moderate depth drop-off; however, there is much variation, from vertical plunges to broad reed-filled duck swamps.
Fishing is often busy, sometimes a little slow, but rarely dead quiet. Strangely, the bass are sometimes found along the south shore and sometimes along the north, rather unpredictably. The smallmouth typically enjoy finesse or panfish worms. However, their preferences are often inconsistent, fussy about size or color. At times, I have had better success with various classic jigs. I do not recall any occasion when there was not something they found acceptable.
There is another public access on the lake by way of the Columbia Wildlife Reserve area. You can find this rough road about 1/2 mile east of the junction with Road M at Lind Coulee. About 1.4 miles south, there is a marked road fork leading east to the southern access lot. There are no facilities, and strictly speaking the area is private but with a public access agreement, so be repectful of the land and any cattle that might wander through. There is no sort of launch facility. Hand carry of a personal craft is possible, but it is necessary to pass through about 150 feet of light brush to reach the lake shore.