Warden Lake is a 44-acre stocked-trout lake in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia – a quiet mountain lake in the forested valley of Moores Run, in the 110-acre Warden Lake Wildlife Management Area near Wardensville. Stocked with rainbow, brown and golden trout in spring and holding bass, pike and panfish too, it’s a scenic, low-key fishing spot close to the Virginia line. This guide is part of our growing West Virginia Lakes Database.
Warden Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~44 acres
- Depth: a small, cool mountain impoundment on Moores Run
- Location: northern Hardy County / southern Hampshire County, about 5 miles north of Wardensville
- WMA: 110-acre Warden Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Top fish: rainbow, brown & golden trout (stocked), bass, channel catfish, northern pike, panfish
Fishing Warden Lake
Warden is a popular spring trout lake, stocked from February through May with rainbow, brown and prized golden rainbow trout, and it also holds bass, channel catfish, northern pike and panfish. A West Virginia fishing license (with a trout stamp) is required; the trout possession limit is generally 12 in any combination – check current rules. The best trout fishing runs February into June, while bass, pike and panfish carry the warmer months. Anglers fish from the bank and small boats.
The WMA, camping and things to do
The Warden Lake WMA protects 110 acres of forested valley along Moores Run, a tributary of the Cacapon River, with hunting and wildlife watching alongside the fishing. Note that camping is prohibited in the management area, so plan a day trip or stay nearby in Wardensville. There’s no developed swim beach; it’s a quiet fishing lake.
Water level and getting there
As a small mountain WMA lake, Warden holds a fairly stable pool. It’s about 5 miles north of Wardensville on the Hardy-Hampshire county line in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, near the Virginia border. Lost River State Park and the Cacapon River are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a West Virginia license (and trout stamp) is required.
- Spring trout: stocked February-May, including golden rainbow trout.
- No camping in the WMA – day use only.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Warden Lake?
Stocked rainbow, brown and golden rainbow trout, plus bass, channel catfish, northern pike and panfish.
When is Warden Lake stocked with trout?
From February through May, with the best trout fishing running February into June.
Can you camp at Warden Lake?
No – camping is prohibited in the Warden Lake WMA; it’s a day-use fishing lake.
Where is Warden Lake?
About 5 miles north of Wardensville on the Hardy-Hampshire county line, in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.
Related: explore the small lakes of West Virginia, or head back to the West Virginia Lakes Database.
Explore more West Virginia lakes: the largest lakes in West Virginia and the deepest lakes in West Virginia.