5,000 fish will be placed in the lake over the course of three days in California and Nevada. Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Stocking event during the Fall Fish Festival at Taylor Creek Visitor Center
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Lahontan National Fish Hatchery Complex, for the first time ever, will stock several thousand large (12-14”) Pilot Peak Lahontan cutthroat trout into their home waters of Lake Tahoe, in conjunction with the Taylor Creek Visitor Center Fall Fish Festival. The hatchery will host two interpretive stocking events at the Fall Fish Festival, Oct. 5 at 12 p.m. and Oct. 6 at 12 p.m.
On Oct. 7, 2019, with Nevada Department of Wildlife, the hatchery will stock fish on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Over the three days, some 5,000 fish will be released, all adipose fin clipped, to help identify stocked fish. The fish released in Nevada will also receive a floy tag to assist Nevada Department of Wildlife in tracking their movements in the lake after release.
Where: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit’s Taylor Creek Visitor Center and Kiva Beach, located on Highway 89, approximately three miles northwest of the City of South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (This event will begin
with an interpretive talk, followed by a short walk to the stocking site).
Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office [Public domain]
Stocking will enhance angling opportunities in Lake Tahoe and improve the visibility of this important native trout in local communities and for those recreating in the area. The Lahontan cutthroat trout is the largest inland cutthroat trout in the world and the only trout native to the Tahoe Basin. The iconic lake form of this species was once the top predator in the area, but eventually disappeared from Lake Tahoe due to land use changes and over fishing. Through stocking efforts and working with partners in the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, we can once again provide this important top predator and sport fish a chance to thrive. Learn more: https://www.fws.gov/lahontannfhc/.