Visitors to the Seep Lakes Unit will experience rolling countryside with basalt outcroppings forming cliffs, mesas, box canyons and potholes. Many of the canyons and potholes are filled with water that has seeped from Potholes Reservoir to the north. WDFW maintains many miles of graveled access roads as well as several boat launches and parking areas primarily for public fishing.
The Seep Lakes Unit is located south of Potholes Reservoir in Adams and Grant counties. The unit can be accessed from Highway 262 to the north and W. McManamon Road to the south.
The Seep Lakes Unit occurs in the Lower Crab Creek Watershed within the Columbia Plateau.
This unit is part of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 278, 290
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Several parking areas provided
- Outhouse and boat ramps are at the Heart Lake, Windmill Lake, Long Lake, and Warden Lake parking areas
Recreation and access advisories
- Private lands exist within this unit; please respect private property and do not trespass.
Hunting
Species of primary hunting focus on this unit are black-tailed deer and turkey.
Fishing
WDFW provides several boat launches on this unit for fishing and boating access.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes lakes, basalt cliffs, mesas, box canyons, and water-filled potholes, some big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including Washington ground squirrel.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Conservation
A long history of range fire has turned almost all of this area into grassland comprised mostly of Sandberg bluegrass and cheatgrass. A few protected pockets contain big sage and bluebunch wheatgrass or needle and thread grass. Most of the lakes have steep and rocky shorelines with very little wetland habitat.
Conservation goals
- Maintain enhanced wildlife habitats and preserve native plant communities and important habitats
- Restore and preserve shallow water habitat and pools
- Manage migrant waterfowl, upland game birds and priority species
Land stewardship
Most of the acres within this unit were transferred to WDFW management through a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1954 and 2020.
No specific funders assisted with purchasing these lands.
Management planning
2022 Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.
Planning Advisory Committee
Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Advisory Committee