South Lake Tahoe fishing and boat charters in search of public piers ask City for help

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Piers and docks around Lake Tahoe are a precious commodity, and many local fishing and boating businesses are trying to find new, and more economical, ways for their customers to board their vessels.

Several local men who own fishing and leisure boating charters spoke to South Lake Tahoe City Councilmembers at last week's meeting, pleading for help as options for public launching disappear.

One charter owner, JD Richey, has been operating his sport fishing business on Lake Tahoe since 1998. He is based out of the Tahoe Keys, but with rent going from $6,500 for six months to $18,500, he said he and other charter owners are trying to stay afloat.

"I'm just trying to make a living," Richey told South Tahoe Now. "It is hard on small family-run business to keep paying the fees."

He said he is welcome at the Tahoe Keys Marina, as are many others. Suntex Marinas purchased the local marina in December 2021, and while some are still welcome, others say they've been forced out.

The Keys isn't the only marina at Lake Tahoe where people are finding it unaffordable. Zephyr Cove, Round Hill, Ski Run, and other marinas are also getting top dollar.

Bryan Steele, CEO of Tahoe By Design, said Suntex has turned the marina into an unaffordable way to operate. He joined the other boat operators in asking the City to look at allowing commercial operations at the Lakeview Commons boat ramp.

"It is difficult for a small business to pick up people," said Steele of options. "We are all about safety and the guest experience."

Some operators have picked up passengers illegally on local beaches, something that is not allowed by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Shoreline Plan. Everyone who operates a boating business that has passengers and customers must have a Shoreline permit and an official dock or pier to launch from.

Those speaking at the Council meeting said they just need a place where there is public access to a pier or dock that is allowed by TRPA.

The city-run floating dock at El Dorado Beach is small, and doesn't give much room for picking up any passengers, let alone those who launch personal watercraft from the boat launch. There is also a new concessionaire at the beach that will be renting stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and sailboats. Due to these factors, other commercial pick-ups are no longer allowed at Lakeview Commons/El Dorado Beach. The boat ramp and dock are only available seasonally.

“City Council provided direction for staff at the March 26, 2024, City Council Meeting to bring back a discussion related to how the Lakeview Commons boat ramp can be utilized," said South Lake Tahoe City Manager Joe Irvin. "Furthermore, the City Code was amended in March of 2021 to explicitly prohibit commercial activity at the boat ramp. Staff will be conducting research on the grant requirements associated with the boat ramp and other applicable ramp/dock requirements and will present those findings to the City Council when this item is brought back.”

When COVID-19 hit, Cave Rock was the only boat ramp that was open to the public in the area. Richey said all commercial operators scrambled to get there, from kayaks to fishing to boat charters. When all the extra business descended on the boat ramp operated by Nevada State Parks, the general public complained that they couldn’t use their park. The charters then weren't allowed to park their trailers there, and customers were not allowed to park either.

Richey tried Cave Rock for a while, but it was not convenient and became an issue. He said the Tahoe Keys Marina is convenient but it takes a lot of fishing trips to keep up financially.

Others spoke before the Council, sharing their concerns. One of them was fighterfighter, John, who operates a fishing charter and said marinas now have a monopoly. He said it is an unintended consequence of the TRPA Shoreline Plan where customers cannot be picked up at beaches.

"It is an impossible financial situation for small business owners," he said.

The Tahoe Keys Marina management said they couldn't comment on fees, and if they've not renewed agreements with local tour operators.

"As a private company operating in a competitive industry, we do not publicly comment on competitive business details like customer counts or customer counts by category," said Erik Johnson, senior vice president of marketing and brand for Suntex Marinas.