Fall Fish Fest is family fun!
By: Tahoe South
Celebrate the fall migration of the Kokanee salmon during the annual Fall Fish Fest at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.
Annually on the first weekend in October each year. The weekend events feature children’s activities and educational and streamside programs. 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 encourages participation by children and their parents in a wide variety of educational and entertaining activities, that over the years has included:
- Treasure Hunt
- Fish Painting
- Mascots – Lulu the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and Sandy and Rocky Salmon
- A visit from Smokey Bear!
- Giant inflatable Lahontan Cutthtroat Trout – sponsored by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Bumble Bee Ice Cream Truck
Be sure to check out the iNaturalist booth and bioblitzes, which are open to anyone and family-friendly, will occur throughout the weekend. Bring smartphones with the iNaturalist app already downloaded and help catalog the natural wonders of Taylor Creek. Learn more about iNaturalist and download the app at www.inaturalist.org
The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is located three miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89. Join the fun and participate in this free family event which has become one of the most fascinating educational and wildlife viewing events in Northern California.
With the popularity of the Fall Fish Festival at the Visitor Center and the Octoberfest at Historic Camp Richardson Resort, the parking lot at the Visitor Center fills quickly. Some free parking is available at Camp Richardson where visitors can walk back and forth between the Fall Fish Fest and Octoberfest. Visitors are encouraged to ride a bike along the bike path between Camp Richardson and the Visitor Center or take public transportation from South Lake Tahoe.
Bears at Taylor Creek Visitor Center
Black Bears visit Taylor Creek on a regular basis during the annual spawning run of the Kokanee Salmon. The U.S. Forest Service has posted “Be Bear Aware” signs alongside the creek to educate the public about proper bear safety.
Safety tips include:
- Do not approach bears.
- Keep a safe distance from bears.
- Do not feed bears.
- Secure food and garbage.
- Lastly, we request all visitors stay on the trail and do not run from the bears if sighted.
- The “Be Bear Aware” signs are available for download.
- Be safe, be smart and enjoy all our wildlife at Taylor Creek this fall.
Contact Information
Taylor Creek Visitor Center
(530) 543-2674
Hwy 89 past Camp Richardson
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
