Modesto Reservoir fishing

Fishing at Modesto Reservoir is on a reservoir, stocked with Mixed Trout and Rainbow Trout. It is stocked 3 times in 2025, most often in October and November. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

Last stocked

November 2, 2025

Plants on record

3

Species recorded

1

Elevation

207 ft

Common questions

What fish are at Modesto Reservoir?
Fishing Modesto Reservoir is most likely to be for Mixed Trout. All 3 plants on record are Mixed Trout. Mixed Trout was last stocked November 2, 2025. Rainbow Trout (Per CDFW's 2026 Provisional Stocking Plan for this water (a planning document, not a confirmed release)) is recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Modesto Reservoir stocked?
Last stocked November 2, 2025. It is stocked 3 times in 2025, most often in October and November.
How do you get on Modesto Reservoir?
Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and a fee is required. The nearest town is Waterford. Facilities include camping and restrooms. Stanislaus County Parks' Modesto Reservoir Regional Park, on Reservoir Road near Waterford. Day use runs 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., the boat ramp 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the vessel day-use fee is about $16 ($11 for residents). Motorized boats need a mussel inspection and Quagga Mussel Stamp.
Which lakes near Modesto Reservoir were stocked more recently?
McSwain Reservoir (22.3 mi) was stocked more recently. McSwain Reservoir is also stocked with Mixed Trout.

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Nearest town
Waterford
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
camping, restrooms

Stanislaus County Parks' Modesto Reservoir Regional Park, on Reservoir Road near Waterford. Day use runs 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., the boat ramp 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the vessel day-use fee is about $16 ($11 for residents). Motorized boats need a mussel inspection and Quagga Mussel Stamp.

Sources: stancountyparks.com, accessed September 23, 2026 , stancountyparks.com, accessed September 23, 2026

How Modesto Reservoir is stocked

McSwain Reservoir (22.3 mi) was stocked more recently. McSwain Reservoir is also stocked with Mixed Trout.

Fish at Modesto Reservoir

Fishing Modesto Reservoir is most likely to be for Mixed Trout. All 3 plants on record are Mixed Trout.

Mixed Trout 3 plants
Plants
3 of 3
Last stocked
November 2, 2025

Stocking history

Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
November 2, 2025 Mixed Trout – – report
October 26, 2025 Mixed Trout – – report
October 19, 2025 Mixed Trout – – report

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes