Kelsey Bass Ranch
Kelsey Reservoir is a 125 acre lake located on the beautiful 7,000 acre Kelsey Ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Located close to Merced, Modesto, and Turlock, California. The ranch has been in the Kelsey family since 1852. The lake is over 70 years old, originally built by the Yuba Dredging Company, and enlarged later by the Kelsey family to supply irrigation water for farming activities on this working cattle ranch. Today the lake holds over 1000 acre feet, and is fed by the local watershed and the Merced River.
Nearly two decades ago, the lake was drained and refilled. Then for the next three years, the Kelsey family stocked 5,000 Florida Bass each year for a total of 15,000 Florida Bass. In addition to fighting Florida Bass, there were Bluegill, Catfish, and Trout planted.
Today, the lake is filled with a large number of beautiful, healthy Florida Bass. The Lake has proved itself to be a wonderful fishery with great bass spawns each year.
Whether you’re fishing with spinning, bait cast, or fly tackle from a tube, boat, or the shoreline, the action is nothing short of amazing! Bass in the 8 to 12 pound class make every tap of the plastic worm a moment of anticipation, it may be the fish of a lifetime. The current lake record is 15 pounds 8 ounces.
Several 25 to 35 pound channel cats have been caught over the years, sometimes these monsters go for bass lures too, so watch out!
Besides being an excellent fishery, Kelsey Bass Ranch is a wonderful place to watch a wide variety of waterfowl. In the winter months, Bald Eagles and Ospreys can be seen perched, waiting for the unsuspecting Coot or fish. Canadian geese are resident, and many types of ducks and shoreline birds dot the lake and it’s shoreline. Cattle graze in the adjacent fields. You might witness cowboys working the cattle on horseback as the Kelsey Ranch is a working cattle ranch with up to 2,000 head of cattle.
The lake is fishable day or night, all throughout the year. Park and BBQ facilities are ready for your use and self-contained campers are more than welcome for the weekend.
A 30 minute drive from Highway 99, Kelsey Bass Ranch’s central valley location makes it a perfect day or weekend excursion.
Most anglers never have the opportunity to enjoy fishing in a well stocked lake, with a wide variety of structure and fishing conditions, located on a private ranch. You won’t find jet skiers or water skiers while fishing on Kelsey Bass Ranch. In fact, the whole lake is a no wake zone.
Escape from the crowds, relax, spend quality time with the family, watch the wildlife on the lake, find new fishing adventure, and enjoy some of the Finest Bass Fishing in California.
There is a lot to see and do at the Kelsey Bass Ranch, but the main attraction is the Superb Bass Fishing!
For more information or to schedule a visit, please go to www.kelseybassranch.com or call 209-563-6573.
