[3][4] Constructed in 1910 (115 years ago) (1910) by Pacific Gas and Electric, the 145 ft (44 m) concrete gravity dam generates hydro-electric power through controlled releases.

The town of Wishon, established on the lake's southern shore, served as a central point for the Sugar Pine Lumber Company.

[6] Bass Lake serves as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for fishing, swimming, water skiing, hiking, and mountain biking.

Additionally, it serves as a launch point for excursions into Yosemite National Park and hosts an annual Independence Day fireworks display.

Over the years, Bass Lake has been a backdrop for various Hollywood films, including Carnival Boat (1931), Leave Her to Heaven (1945), and The Great Outdoors (1987).

In the past, Bass Lake was an annual gathering place for the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, a tradition that dwindled by the late 1980s.

It has experienced environmental challenges such as beetle infestations, droughts, and wildfires, which have substantially affected its local pine forests.

[7] Bass Lake reservoir was created by the Crane Valley Dam, which impounds North Fork Willow Creek.

Willow Creek is the lake’s only outlet which flows south through the community of North Fork before its confluence with the San Joaquin River.

The lake is bound by Malum Ridge on the south and by Graham Mountain[8] which rises dramatically to an elevation of 6,090 feet (1,860 m) in the northeast.

[11] In terms of education, Bass Lake exceeds the state average, with 59.9% of its residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 37.0% in California.

[11] Bass Lake is characterized by a Mediterranean climate (Koppen CSA) featuring hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters, which may occasionally witness heavy snowstorms.

[15] Native animal species in the area include black bear (Ursus americanus), mule deer, bald eagles,[16] and blue herons (Ardea herodias).

[22] Active efforts have been made to remove undesirable non-game fish species from the lake to ensure a balanced and sustainable aquatic ecosystem.

During this period, many Mono were forcibly displaced from Crane Valley in May 1851, an event precipitated by the Mariposa War, a conflict which aimed to make the Southern Sierra Nevada accessible to white settlers.

[29] This marked the beginning of clearing activities in the Crane Valley basin, making way for ranching, farming, and the eventual development of Bass Lake reservoir.

A network of railroad tracks connected Bass Lake with the logging epicenter of Central Camp, serviced by the largest saddle-tank locomotive ever built.

[30] Bass Lake was formed through the construction of the Crane Valley Reservoir, a project initiated by the San Joaquin Electric Company in 1901.

By December, the lake's water levels can be reduced to about 35% of total capacity, or 36 feet (11 m) below crest elevation, in preparation for seasonal weather and runoff.

[50][51] Moreover, Bass Lake is a common starting point for trips into the high Sierra and nearby Yosemite National Park.

[58] The eventual closure of the school was a result of continuously declining student numbers and rising operational expenses, culminating in a $1.3 million deficit over its final ten years.

[59] Starting in 1963, Bass Lake became a regular meeting spot for the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, drawing large numbers of members from all over the state every Memorial Day weekend.

The 1965 Bass Lake Run was vividly chronicled by acclaimed journalist Hunter S. Thompson in his debut book, Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.

[60] Local residents often viewed these yearly gatherings with trepidation, linking the influx of motorcyclists with an uptick in crime and a decrease in tourist activity.

In response, each year, law enforcement units from Madera County and nearby regions imposed measures such as roadblocks, curfews, and campground restrictions, with the aim of mitigating or managing the activities of the Hells Angels.