Fall Fish Fest canceled in South Lake Tahoe due to safety concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), with the support of the Great Basin Institute, has canceled the Fall Fish Fest originally planned for Oct. 14, 2023. The event has had challenges over the last few years due to a lack of staff or low water levels.

This year, LTBMU said there were public safety concerns about holding the festival due to anticipated large crowds, limited staffing capacity, and potential human-bear conflicts.

The Great Basin Institute manages the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, the normal home to the Fall Fish Fest. Taylor Creek paths like the Rainbow Trail are expected to remain open this fall. The repair project on the glass-enclosed stream profile chamber should be done by the first week in October.

There were closures of the Rainbow Trail 2014-16 when bear activity was high, and crowds grew to capture those bear selfies. Wildlife will feed on the Kokanee as they swim upstream on Taylor Creek so all spectators must stay on designated trails.