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Washington · Fishing
Warden sits in the Columbia Basin of central Washington, surrounded by a cluster of lakes that draw anglers looking for productive stillwater fishing without a long drive into the mountains.
4 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 4 spots
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Warden sits in the Columbia Basin of central Washington, surrounded by a cluster of lakes that draw anglers looking for productive stillwater fishing without a long drive into the mountains. The four lakes covered here — Sage Lakes, Crescent Lake, Warden Lake, and Soda Lake — are all lake fisheries, meaning your focus will be on working the water column from shore or a small watercraft rather than wading moving water. The basin's high-desert climate means these lakes warm up earlier in spring than higher-elevation alternatives, which can make March and April genuinely good months when other Washington fisheries are still locked up or running cold. Summer midday heat pushes fish deep and slows surface activity considerably, so early mornings and evenings become the productive windows from June through August. Access and amenities vary by lake, so it's worth checking Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and site-specific rules before you load the truck. A valid Washington fishing license is required at all of these waters.
The Columbia Basin lakes in this area are commonly stocked with rainbow trout, and warm-water species like largemouth bass, perch, and crappie show up in many of the region's lakes as well. Check the WDFW regulations pamphlet or the WDFW website for species-specific information on each individual lake, since stocking schedules and target species can differ between Sage Lakes, Crescent Lake, Warden Lake, and Soda Lake.
A medium-light spinning rod in the 6 to 7 foot range handles most situations well. For trout, small spinners, PowerBait on a slip-sinker rig, or a simple bobber-and-worm setup all produce. If you're targeting warm-water species, bring a few soft plastics and a basic topwater lure for early morning low-light periods.
Sage Lakes
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Warden Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Crescent Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Soda Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Upper Goose Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Eagle Lakes
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Sand Lake
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Scooteney Reservoir
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Chance Lake
~34 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Snakebite Reservoir
~36 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Wahluke Ponds
~36 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Glyn Lake
~40 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WA.
Shore fishing is viable at these lakes, and many anglers fish them without a boat. That said, a float tube, kayak, or small aluminum boat opens up more of the water column and lets you cover structure that's hard to reach from the bank. Check access conditions at each specific lake before you go, as launch facilities and bank access points vary.
Spring, roughly late March through May, is generally the most consistent window for trout fishing before water temperatures climb. Fall, from September into October, is a second productive stretch as temperatures drop and fish feed more actively. Summer fishing is possible but plan to be on the water before 8 a.m. or in the last hour before sunset to avoid the slow midday period.
You need a valid Washington State fishing license for all four lakes. Beyond that, individual lakes can have specific rules around gear type, bag limits, or seasonal closures, so look up each lake by name in the current WDFW fishing regulations before your trip. Rules can change year to year, and what applied last season may not apply now.
