Lake Tahoe boat ramps to start opening up for boats not needing inspection

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Boat ramps around Lake Tahoe will start opening this week, but at this time only vessels with an intact Lake Tahoe inspection seal can launch and no uninspected vessels from outside the Tahoe Region will be able to get on the water.

Boats without an intact inspection wire will not be allowed on Lake Tahoe at this time. This will be until orders to help slow the spread of the coronavirus are further relaxed. Watercraft inspection stations for the detection and prevention of aquatic invasive species will remain closed to visiting boaters until further direction from public health officials.

The marinas and boat ramps listed below will sell the annual Tahoe Only sticker which are reserved for Tahoe wire inspection sealed boats from previous seasons that will only launch in Lake Tahoe.

All other stickers will be allowed if the wire seals are intact and the Tahoe Only 2020 sticker can be purchased. Those wanting to upgrade to a Tahoe In and Out or another type sticker will have to wait until inspections are open again and pay the difference in fees.

If the sealed wire on the boat is not intact, a visit to a roadside inspection station is required, just as boats from outside the area use. The Lake Tahoe Invasive Species inspection stations are operated by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and they are currently closed and will reopen when each state's executive orders change to allow travel.

There is a phased approach to opening boat launch operations and ramps will start to open under COVID-19 precautions, however not all launch facilities will be open right away. To keep their staff safe and comply with Nevada and California Executive Orders, launch facilities remained closed until recently. There is a significant amount of preparation that needs to occur in order to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.

Public Launch Ramps
Sand Harbor, Incline Village (NV State Parks) — Open May 22
Cave Rock, Glenbrook (NV State Parks) — Open May 22
Lake Forest, Tahoe City (TCPUD) — Open May 19
El Dorado, South Lake Tahoe (CSLT) — To Be Announced
Coon Street, Kings Beach (North Tahoe Watersports) —Open June 1
Tahoe Vista Recreation Area, Kings Beach (NTPUD) —Open May 22

Private Launch Facilities
Please contact the following facilities directly for information on launching and hours of operation:

North Tahoe Marina — To Be Announced
Sierra Boat Company — June 1
Ski Beach Boat Ramp -IVGID — Open May 20 Residents Only
Tahoe City Marina — Open May 22
Sunnyside Marina — To Be Announced
Homewood Marina — Open June 1
Obexer’s Marina — Open June 1
Tahoe Keys Marina — Open May 21
Lakeside Marina — Open June 1

Fallen Leaf Lake Marina* – ATTENTION: All boats without a green Fallen Leaf Lake wire inspection seal must get an inspection at the Meyers, Spooner or Alpine Meadows inspection station prior to launch. Decontamination fees will apply. All non-motorized should always arrive Clean.Drain.Dry before launching here.

Echo Lake Chalet* – ATTENTION: All boats without a yellow Echo Lake wire inspection seal must get an inspection at the Meyers, Spooner or Alpine Meadows inspection station prior to launch. Decontamination fees will apply. All non-motorized should always arrive Clean.Drain.Dry before launching here.

*NOTE: Non-motorized watercraft shall always be Clean.Drain.Dry prior to launching in a waterbody, even if you last visited Lake Tahoe.

For up to date ramp opening and inspection station news, visit https://tahoeboatinspections.com.

This story has been updated.