Annual Festival in honor of the Kokanee Salmon this weekend

Last year, a government shut down caused the annual South Lake Tahoe festival that honors the Kokanee Salmon to be canceled, though nobody told the fish. Highway 89 was lined with cars since people had to walk in to view the fish spawning as well as enjoying fall foliage.

This year, the party is on and scheduled this weekend, October 4-5. Not only will the Kokanee be the star of the Fall Fish Festival's activities, it will also focus on a variety of fish species that live in Lake Tahoe and its streams including the federally threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout, little-known smaller fish, such as Speckled dace.

And don't leave bears out the festivities! They've been out in force to feed on the spawning salmon.

For years, the fall event was called "The Salmon Festival." The name may have changed but a weekend of nature activities has not.

Hosted by the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) and the Tahoe Heritage Foundation at Taylor Creek Visitor's Center, the Fish Festival will feature children’s activities, food vendors, event t-shirt sales, educational booths, streamside information and the return of the Kokanee Trail Runs on Sunday sponsored by the Tahoe Mountain Milers. For more information on the trail runs, visit http://www.tahoemtnmilers.org/kokanee-5k--10k--half-marathon.html.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. Not to be missed is the return of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s giant inflatable fish – the fish’s tail serves as the gateway to fun activity stations for kids. The festival’s mascots, Lulu the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, and Sandy and Rocky Salmon, will make appearances, and there will be a special appearance by Smokey Bear.

Speaking of bears, some black bears in the area have learned to feed on the spawning salmon, and visitor center staff routinely encounter unsafe situations as guests get too close to the bears. If encountering a bear, remember do not approach them – bears are wild animals and may attack if threatened. Stay on paved trails, keep a safe distance and leave the bear an escape route.
The Fall Fish Festival and Oktoberfest at Historic Camp Richardson Resort occur the same weekend, so the parking lot at the visitor center fills quickly. The Forest Service encourages attendees to bike, walk or take public transportation to the event.

For more information, contact the visitor center at (530) 543-2674 or visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/FallFishFest. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is located three miles north of South Lake Tahoe, Calif. on Highway 89.