Fishing near Modesto, California
Stanislaus County, population 218,464.
- 3 milesto nearest lake
- 3launches nearby
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Tulloch Lake: Tsalaiz89, CC BY-SA 4.0
Modesto angler guide
Modesto is a Stanislaus County community of 218,464 people at the 2020 census. For still water, Modesto VFW Park Pond is 3 miles southwest. The nearest named launch is Tuolumne River Regional Park BTAF, 2 miles away.
Lakes closest to Modesto
- Modesto VFW Park Pond3 miles southwest, 0.4 acres
- Woodward Reservoir17 miles northeast, 2,427 acres
- Modesto Reservoir19 miles east, 3,800 acres
- Turlock Reservoir25 miles east, 3,267 acres
- Waterloo Gun & Bocci Club Pool28 miles northwest, 0.4 acres
- Tulloch Lake29 miles northeast, 1,260 acres
Species flagged within reach of Modesto
| Species | Nearby lakes flagged |
|---|---|
| Black bass | 3 |
| Catfish | 3 |
| Hatchery trout | 3 |
| Sunfish and crappie | 3 |
| Kokanee and inland salmon | 1 |
River trips from Modesto
- Stanislaus River, Stanislaus County16 miles
- Calaveras River29 miles
Mapped water near Modesto
- Tuolumne River Regional Park BTAFTuolumne River, 2 miles
- Caswell SP Stanislaus River AccessStanislaus River, 11 miles
- Las Palmas- San Joaquin RiverSan Joaquin River, 11 miles
Straight line distances from the Census point for Modesto.
USGS stations near Modesto
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuolumne R A Modesto Ca | 235 cfs, 37.05 ft gage height | Oct 12 6:00 pm |
| Stanislaus R A Ripon Ca | 668 cfs, 40.71 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:45 pm |
| San Joaquin R Nr Crows Landing Ca | 335 cfs, 36.93 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 12, 2026 6:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Gear near Modesto
Nearest tackle to Modesto
- C&C Marinesporting goods store, Modesto, 2 miles
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #286sporting goods store, Modesto, 3 miles
- Bill's Sport & Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Modesto, 3 miles
- Turner's Outdoorsman #17sporting goods store, Modesto, 3 miles
- Crosby E Tobacconist & Flyfishing Outfitter Inc.fly shop, Modesto, 3 miles
- D & C Bait and Tackle Storebait and tackle shop, Modesto, 3 miles
- Central Valley Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Modesto, 3 miles
- Big 5 Sporting Goods #055sporting goods store, Modesto, 4 miles
License agents near Modesto
- Walmart Store #1587department store, 3 miles
- Strand Ace Hardwarelicense agent, 3 miles
- Walmart Store #5710department store, 4 miles
- Walmart Store #1983department store, 5 miles
Planted lakes near Modesto
| Lake | Distance | Plant weeks | Last plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodward Reservoir | 17 miles | 3 | 2025-11-02 |
| Modesto Reservoir | 19 miles | 3 | 2025-11-02 |
| Tulloch Lake | 29 miles | 2 | 2026-09-27 |
| Oak Grove Park Lake | 35 miles | 2 | 2026-03-01 |
| Don Pedro Reservoir | 36 miles | 2 | 2025-10-26 |
| Yosemite Lake | 36 miles | 4 | 2025-11-16 |
| New Melones Lake | 36 miles | 1 | 2025-11-16 |
| Lake del Valle | 39 miles | 2 | 2025-11-09 |
CDFW Fish Planting Schedule, last 52 weeks.
What you may keep near Modesto
Near Modesto, inland rules come from the Valley District.
| 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 |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations.
Bordering Modesto on the map
Towns a short drive from Modesto
- Turlock12 miles
- Manteca16 miles
- Tracy25 miles
- Stockton29 miles
County links for Modesto
- Stanislaus Countyseat: Modesto
Species anglers find at Modesto
Photo: Hardyplants, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Maitegonza, CC BY-SA 4.0
Asked often around Modesto
Where does the nearest CDFW lake to Modesto lie?
Modesto VFW Park Pond, 3 miles southwest.
How far is the nearest launch from Modesto?
Try Tuolumne River Regional Park BTAF, about 2 miles off.
Can I fish a pier without a license near Modesto?
Not within 25 miles.
Who sells tackle in Modesto?
Try C&C Marine.
Which guides work out of Modesto?
None based in Modesto.
Which county page goes with Modesto?
Stanislaus County holds it.
Which MPAs are near Modesto?
None nearby.
Which stream page is nearest Modesto?
Try Stanislaus River, Stanislaus County (16 miles).
Which license do visitors to Modesto buy?
From 16: $21.09 for one day, $32.4 for two.
Find water to fish near Modesto
Every spot on this page has a directions button.