Sierra Rec Magazine ~ Kiva Beach, Lake Tahoe Ca – October 5, 2019 – On a day that thousands gathered on the West shores of Lake Tahoe for annual Fish Festival and Camp rich Oktoberfest. A historic release of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout back into its native waters of Lake Tahoe took place in front of hundreds of on visitors.
The Lahontan Cutthroat are being reintroduced into Lake Tahoe from a partnership with the California and Nevada Department of Fish and Wildlife, US fish and Wildlife Service – Lahonton National fish hatchery complex, USDA forest Service – Lake Tahoe Basin management Unit, The Tahoe Regional planning agency and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Introducing once again the primary predator fish back into its native waters.
Today marked the beginning of a long process which will see the lake stocked with 5000 Lahontan Cutthroat this week then additional releases planned in 2020 and 2021. The goal s to release over 200,000 Cutthroat over the next several years as the lake establishes its nature order and balance with the cutthroat back in its ecosystem.
As visitors converged on the shoreline just south of Kiva beach in South Lake Tahoe, anglers were already in the water waiting with excitement for one of the regions most prized fishing trophy’s to enter lake. Guests young and old rang out in applause and giggles as they watched the trout dart around in the shallow waters of the shoreline. Several photographers standing in the water for the shots could feel the fish bumping into their legs as the trout swam into their new home.
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 overfishing. Through stocking efforts and working with partners in the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, we can once again provide this important top predator and sportfish a chance to thrive
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. Learn more: https://www.fws.gov/lahontannfhc/.
