Modesto Reservoir Fishing
Stanislaus County, CDFW Central Region, 3,800 acres.
- 1launches
- 3,800acres
- 207 ftelevation
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Tulloch Lake: FASTILY, CC BY-SA 4.0
Taking a closer look at Modesto Reservoir
In Stanislaus County, Modesto Reservoir is a reservoir managed from the CDFW Central Region. The Fishing Guide gives its surface as 3,800 acres. The entry gives 207 feet of elevation. Waterford is the nearest incorporated town, about 6 miles away. CDEC rates capacity at 29,000 acre-feet, held by Modesto Reservoir Dam on Tuolumne River.
Its CDFW species flags are hatchery trout. Boaters have 1 mapped launch, none of them named. Between 2025-10-19 and 2025-11-02, fish went in on 3 weeks. Amenities on file: restrooms, fuel and wheelchair access.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Agency notes for Modesto Reservoir
“This fluctuating reservoir creates many coves and islands and the location features lots of shade trees.”
“Marina, bait & tackle, store, picnic areas, and RV sites with hookups.”
“Accessible parking and restrooms.”
Quoted from the CDFW Fishing Guide entry for Modesto Reservoir (source). Checked October 2026.
Access to Modesto Reservoir by boat
- Boat launch, Modesto Reservoirboat launch
Ramps a short drive from Modesto Reservoir
- Turlock Lake SRATurlock Lake, 4 miles southeast
- Turlock Lake SRA (Tuolumne River Access)Turlock Lake, 5 miles southeast
- Basso BridgeTuolumne River, 9 miles east
- Orange Blossom BTAFStanislaus River, 10 miles northwest
- Don Pedro Recreation Area (Blue Oaks Ramp)Don Pedro Lake, 12 miles east
- Don Pedro Recreation Area (Fleming Meadows Ramp)Don Pedro Lake, 14 miles east
DBW Boating Facilities, USFS recreation sites and OpenStreetMap slipways, checked October 2026.
Catch options on Modesto Reservoir
CDFW Fishing Guide species flags; CDFW publishes no fuller species list for most waters.
Stocking schedule for Modesto Reservoir
| Species | Size | Program | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Catchable | Put and Take | January-April & October-December |
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule and the 2026 Provisional Stocking Document. California trout stocking.
Bag limits around Modesto Reservoir
The table below is the full rule set for Modesto Reservoir.
| Species | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bass | 5 a day | 12 in minimum | All year |
| Trout | 5 a day | none | All year |
| Striped bass | 2 a day | 18 in minimum | All year except closures in special regulations |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 a day | none | All year, except closures under district or special regulations |
| Catfish | no limit | none | All year, except closures under special regulations |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 5 a day | none | All year |
District regulations for Modesto Reservoir: the Valley District.
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026. All California limits.
Modesto Reservoir against nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation (ft) | Launches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto Reservoir | 3,800 | 207 | 1 | |
| Turlock Reservoir | 7 miles southeast | 3,267 | 250 | 3 |
| Tulloch Lake | 17 miles north | 1,260 | 515 | 4 |
| Woodward Reservoir | 17 miles northwest | 2,427 | 210 | 4 |
| Don Pedro Reservoir | 18 miles northeast | 12,960 | 830 | 4 |
| McClure Reservoir | 21 miles east | 7,127 | 867 | 8 |
More near Modesto Reservoir
CDFW lakes within a drive of Modesto Reservoir
- Turlock Reservoir7 miles southeast
- Tulloch Lake17 miles north
- Woodward Reservoir17 miles northwest
- Don Pedro Reservoir18 miles northeast
- McClure Reservoir21 miles east
Bait counters close to Modesto Reservoir
- Waterford Marketbait and tackle shop, Waterford, 6 miles
- Bait Barnbait and tackle shop, Waterford, 6 miles
- Creekside Liquor Bait & Tackle, 12118 Yosemite Blvd Ste 2bait and tackle shop, Waterford, 7 miles
- Sports Stopsporting goods store, Waterford, 7 miles
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #263sporting goods store, Oakdale, 12 miles
- The Gun Shopbait and tackle shop, Oakdale, 13 miles
License sellers around Modesto Reservoir
- Oakdale Food & Liquorlicense agent, 13 miles
- River Road General Storelicense agent, 14 miles
- Snelling Chevronlicense agent, 16 miles
Where to stay near Modesto Reservoir
- La Grange10 miles
- Snelling16 miles
- Turlock16 miles
County guides covering Modesto Reservoir
- Stanislaus Countyseat: Modesto
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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Short answers on Modesto Reservoir
How far is Modesto Reservoir from town?
Stanislaus County, about 6 miles from Waterford.
How big a water is Modesto Reservoir?
3,800 acres of surface.
What launch serves Modesto Reservoir?
1 launch on record, including Boat launch, Modesto Reservoir.
Which species does CDFW list for Modesto Reservoir?
CDFW notes hatchery trout.
What does CDFW plant in Modesto Reservoir?
Plants came on 3 weeks, most recently 2025-11-02.
Does Modesto Reservoir have its own regulations?
Nothing special is listed.
What license do anglers at Modesto Reservoir buy?
From 16 up, a license; residents pay $64.54 a year.
Is Modesto Reservoir drawn down right now?
There is no live gauge for it.
Where is the nearest tackle to Modesto Reservoir?
Try Waterford Market, roughly 6 miles off.
Set aside a day for Modesto Reservoir
Check limits and fees before you load up.