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Fishing Warden Lake: what the data says
44-acre lake near Wardensville. The lake tops out around 19 ft. The depth chart is built from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the humps, channels and drop-offs you see are measured, not guessed. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Largemouth Bass fishing at Warden Lake
Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 6 to 19 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 19 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 18 ft that scores prime in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 6 to 19 ft | dawn & dusk | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 6 to 19 ft | midday | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Warden Lake
Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 6 to 19 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 19 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 18 ft that scores prime in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 6 to 19 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 6 to 19 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 6 to 19 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Yellow Perch fishing at Warden Lake
Spring yellow perch on Warden Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 19 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 19 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 19 ft, rated prime for fall yellow perch. Best bite is early morning. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 6 to 19 ft | dawn | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 6 to 19 ft | midday | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 6 to 19 ft | midday & dawn | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Bluegill fishing at Warden Lake
In spring, bluegill run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. They move out to 4 to 15 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 19 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 19 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dusk | 1/32 oz jig + micro plastic, Tiny popper (evenings) |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Small sponge spider (fly), Micro tube jig |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 6 to 19 ft | midday | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
Channel Catfish fishing at Warden Lake
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 6 to 19 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 19 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 19 ft that scores prime in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 6 to 19 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 6 to 19 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 6 to 19 ft | midday |
Rainbow Trout fishing at Warden Lake
Spring rainbow trout on Warden Lake hold shallow, usually 5 to 19 ft. Summer fish stay in 5 to 19 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 19 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 18 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 19 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 19 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 5 to 19 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 4 to 19 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Warden Lake also holds northern pike (6 to 19 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 19 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 18 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 3 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 2 ft
Common questions
How deep is Warden Lake?
Warden Lake is about 19 ft at its deepest point. The depth chart here comes from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the contours reflect measured depths.
What fish are in Warden Lake?
Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, channel catfish, rainbow trout, yellow perch on Warden Lake.
Where is the best fishing spot on Warden Lake?
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 18 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in winter. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Warden Lake?
For largemouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Kimsey Run Lake · South Branch Potomac · Sleepy Creek Lake · Mount Storm Lake · Potomac River (Upper) · Brandywine Lake
See how Warden Lake stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in West Virginia · best smallmouth bass lakes in West Virginia · best bluegill lakes in West Virginia · best channel catfish lakes in West Virginia
Browse all West Virginia fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.