Bass Lake Park

Updated As of 2/5/2024
Bass Lake Park Updates and Reminders
Fishing at Bass Lake Park is closed until March 1, 2024 for Migratory Bird Season. See regular season fishing schedule below for the calendar. Since Bass Lake Park's "soft opening" in December 2020, 2023 was the first season where fishing was allowed through the entire month of October 2023 and the lake wasn't closed early due to low water levels and high temperatures. 

Additionally, dogs must be on leash at Bass Lake Park and there are no bikes allowed on the trails.
If you have concerns during business hours (8:00 – 3:30), call (916) 933-6624. For concerns after hours call (916) 825-6690. If this is an issue related to Fish and Wildlife, please call the local California Department of Fish and Wildlife at (916) 358-2900.

June 2022 Fishing Schedule

Volunteer Opportunity at Bass Lake Park 
To find out about upcoming volunteer events at Bass Lake Park, please contact the CSD Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@edhcsd.org or (916) 614-3207.

2023 Spring at Bass Lake park
Below are a few of the spring views at Bass Lake Park.

Bloom at Bass Lake Park - Copy - Copy    Wild Flowers at Bass Lake Park - Copy


Active Volunteer Projects at Bass Lake Regional Park
There are several active volunteer projects going on at Bass Lake Regional Park. Two projects Bat Boxes and the Flora & Fauna Project are completed. Click here for more information about the projects.

For park hours, activities, volunteering, & other opportunities  Bass Lake Regional Park FAQ



For Project Information, click each link below:
Project Description
Park Goals and Opportunities
Park Design Amenities
EIR Milestones
Project Milestone Updates
Become a Part of the Long Term Legacy
Bass Lake History

Project Description
Bass Lake Park encompasses 211 acres, including oak groves, wetlands, a freshwater lake, state-controlled dam, and existing athletic field, Sellwood Field. In December 2020 the District opened Bass Lake Regional Park for public use, and individuals can access the lake area for walking along the levy road, bird watching, walking dogs on leash while catch and release fishing is managed and has restricted use periods throughout the year. 

Some of the proposed future construction plans for the park include 3 new multi-use athletic fields –with bleachers, restrooms and concession stand; lighted parking; 1 new softball field and one new baseball field; Playgrounds – tot lot, adventure play area, and inclusive play and sensory garden; 2,500 square foot nature center and amphitheater and elevated decking with bird observation blinds on the lake; 8,500 square foot event center with dock ramp and lawn/outdoor group fitness area; Miles of trails across the park with shade structures with fitness nodes and interpretive signs; Courts: bocce and volleyball; picnic areas with barbecue and tables, Small and large dog park. For a full list of all proposed amenities see below.

Park Goals and Opportunities
The wildlife and natural sounds out at Bass Lake Park are simply amazing. Visitors will have the opportunity to bird watch, and possibly see a golden eagle nesting. Deer and jack rabbits will be out grazing and bugs will be busy working in their natural spaces. EDHCSD is dedicated to preserving it. The flora and fauna found in our backyard is what we want visitors to learn and enjoy at Bass Lake Regional Park.

Bass Lake Park includes a beautiful lake with a natural corridor for wildlife, and we want to make sure that the space is used wisely and that people know about it.

El Dorado Hills CSD (EDHCSD) sees the 200+ acre Bass Lake Park as a community asset. We want families, kids, schools and anyone in the area or region to come out and experience the park setting on the west side of the lake, the active ballpark, and the dog park. The trail will connect the west side of the park to the east side. The east side of the park will be more passive. EDHCSD envisions picnic areas along the trails with interpretive signs.

For pictures and information about progress with the project follow the Bass Lake Park on Instagram @basslakepark.

Bass Lake Working Group/EDH Promise Foundation meets on 3rd Wednesday of every other month with four subcommittees, including Public Engagement & Outreach, Outdoor Education, Active Recreation and Sports, Habitat Management, Click here if you have experience or passion to serve on one of these committees.

Project Design Amenities
Serrano J Lot H Park Development
Larger Drawing - Serrano J Lot H Park Development at Bass Lake

Click here for the full park concept design.

Recreation
  • Multi-Use Trails with shade structures along the trail
  • Paved walking paths
  • Sensory garden and play areas
  • Boardwalk along the Shoreline
  • Fishing Dock & Ramp for non-motorized uses at the lake
  • Four Bocce Courts
  • Two Sand Volleyball Courts
  • Picnic shelters and a group shade structure with BBQs and Tables
  • Large and small breed dog park
Outdoor Enrichment & Education
  • 3000 sq ft Nature Education Center
  • Interpretive signs on plants and wildlife
  • Conservation of wetland areas
  • Online StoryMaps and BLRP plant identification Tool Kit
Athletic Fields
  • Lighted multi-use athletic fields used for:
    • Soccer,
    • lacrosse,
    • baseball and softball,
    • sand volleyball
  • Existing Sellwood Field
Park Infrastructure
  • Lighted parking lots
  • ADA access
  • Restrooms
  • Maintenance Yard
Bass Lake Angling Survey
In April and May, 2020 EDHCSD, El Dorado County Fish & Game volunteers, and Oak Ridge Fishing Club conducted an angling survey at Bass Lake. The survey summary can be found here.

Angling Survey

EIR Milestones
Current Task
•    Preparation of Draft EIR by District consultants, LSA Associates, Inc. 

Upcoming/Ongoing Actions

•    Administrative Draft EIR Released to Public for Review and Comment
•    Public Comments
•    Recirculated Draft(s) (if necessary)
•    Notice of Public Hearing
•    Certification of EIR

Project Milestones

Upcoming/Ongoing Actions
•    Final Design and Application submitted to County
•    Certification of EIR (see EIR Milestones above)
•   100% Construction Drawings
•    RFP Bid Proposal
•    Park Construction

Completed Milestones
February 1, 2024
Public review comment period from interested public agencies, organizations, and individuals on the scope and content of the EIR are due by today at 5:00 PM. 
January 23, 2024
District Draft EIR Scoping Meeting held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 6 PM at the CSD Pavilion.
January 17, 2024
Bass Lake Working Group Meeting held. 
January 3, 2024
District issues Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Click here for the notice until February 1, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
November 9, 2023
Board approves changing the level of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis from a Mitigated Negative Declaration to an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approved the associated augmented proposal for the work with LSA. (See EIR Milestones above)
July -  Current
Ongoing meetings between staff and consultant for Final Design and county steps for land use approval.
Architecture Renderings (Nature Center and Event Center) Review
May 13, 2023 
Bass Lake Nature Walk held from 9 am - 11:00 AM - Meet at Sellwood Field at 9:00 AM
May 11, 2023
Status update on Bass Lake Park Architecture Review Presentation May 11, 2023 CSD Board meeting.
April 26, 2023
3rd Submittal of Bass Lake Emergency Action Plan to Office of Emergency Services (OES).
April 15, 2023
30 People enjoyed the Bass Lake Nature Walk.
March 25, 2023
8 People enjoyed the Bass Lake Nature Walk.
March 21, 2023
Lead agency agreement between CSD and El Dorado County approved by Board of Supervisors' Resolution
November 10, 2022
Status update on Bass Lake Regional Park efforts at November 10, 2022 CSD Board meeting.
August 2022
CSD notified by Department of Recreation’s Office of Grants and Local Services of not being selected for the Regional Park Program Grant.
April 14, 2022
Contract awarded by Board of Directors for Final Design, to obtain all necessary county approvals for development, and complete improvement plans for the first phase of construction.
March 2022
Proposal Submittal Deadline; District Interviews Candidates/Candidate Presentations; Selection of Top Firm
February 4, 2022
Mandatory Job Site Walk Held; Response by District to Questions/Clarifications Deadline
January 2022
Proposition 68 grant Regional Park Program (RPP) application submitted
January 14, 2022
RFP issued for professional services to complete final design and construction drawings
2020-2021
Executed early concept engagement meetings
2020-2021
Targeted communications with stakeholders
October 2020
Bass Lake Regional Park Community Stakeholder Survey completed
Village Life Article, October 21, 2020
August 2020
Acquisition of Serrano Village J Lot H 12.53 acre parcel
July 2020
Mt. Democrat Article, July 18, 2020
February 2020
Acquisition of El Dorado County 41.7 acre parcel
January 2020
Acquisition of 14.74 acres owned by El Dorado Irrigation District
November 2019
Award of Personal Services Agreement to LSA for engineering and environmental studies
September 2019
District Parks and Planning Committee reviews Serrano Village J Lot H - Bass Lake Regional Park Concept Design and Cost Estimate
April 2019
El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Approved Surplus of 42 Acre Parcel; the District is negotiating with El Dorado County for transfer
April 2019
District Board of Directors approves the El Dorado Hills Promise Foundation as the Bass Lake Park Project proponent and fundraiser
March 2019
Phase II Concept Design Revision Complete
March 2019
Traffic Study Submitted to El Dorado County Department of Transportation
December 2018
Acquisition of Rescue Union School District Property
September 2018
Phase I Concept Design Complete
October 2017
Phase II Environmental Study Completed for 3240 Bass Lake Road
September 2017
Phase I and Phase II Environmental Study Completed for 3240 Bass Lake Road
August 2017
District enters into Purchase and Sale Agreement for the 16 acre parcel owned by El Dorado Irrigation District

Become Part of the Long-Term Legacy
EDH Promise Foundation's role in the Bass Lake Regional Park project is to help with fundraising and engaging stakeholders that have desires and opinions on how this fantastic property should be used in the future. In partnership with EDHCSD, EDH Promise Foundation has volunteers, and partners including El Dorado Community Foundation developing a fundraising plan for this project. Get engaged and become part of this long-term legacy. Become part of the solution on how to best utilize the fantastic resources at Bass Lake. Wetland studies and biological assessments are needed to help us better understand the flora and fauna, and how to best protect it.

Then we will utilize those studies to determine how to educate the community and the visitors at Bass Lake Regional Park. If you're a retired biologist or teacher, EDH Promise Foundation is looking for you to help develop the educational materials at Bass Lake! These will all require funding, so partners and stakeholders are needed to complete this project too. Get engaged and become part of this long-term legacy.
Visit the EDH Promise Foundation website to volunteer or donate today!

Bass Lake History
Bass Lake is located off of Bass Lake Road north of Highway 50. Bass Lake was formerly known as American Reservoir and was an important part of the Gold Rush era flume/ditch systems in El Dorado County. Water was brought to the American Reservoir (Bass Lake) by a series of flumes/ditches to be used as a water resource for gold mining. From the mid-1850s to the late-1930s American Reservoir was owned by several different water companies that controlled the flumes. In 1938, James Nichol purchased the property to open Bass Lake Resort a local destination for recreation. In 1955, family of James Nichol sold the property to the Jannke family. In 1962, the first references to Bass Lake Dam appear in the State of California Department of Water Resources records. El Dorado Irrigation District purchased the property in 1969 and has owned the property since that time.

For more history of Bass Lake and the Gold Rush, we recommend reading "Bass Lake A Gold Rush Artifact" by John Thomson.
bass_lake_book