The Circle of Life: Kokanee Salmon Festival Oct 4 & 5

Posted on September 27, 2008
Filed Under South Shore Events |

Nature’s art show is in full display as the Kokanee salmon swim up Taylor Creek for their annual dance of life.

The deep red of these non-native fish against the backdrop of the golden aspen along the creek is as stunning as the strength and determination of the running salmon.

The Kokanee were introduced to Lake Tahoe in 1944.

Don’t miss nature’s art show:

19th Kokanee Salmon Festival
October 4 & 5
10 am - 4 pm
Free admission
USFS Visitor Center at Taylor Creek, 3 miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Hwy 89 next to Camp Richardson

Highlights:

BBQ salmon plate Saturday and Sunday - $14. Proceeds benefit the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care and future Kokanee Salmon Festivals. For further information, call (530) 577-CARE, x2273.
Sammy Salmon”, the official mascot of the Kokanee Salmon Festival.
Fish painting booth where children participate in the oriental art of fish painting.
Educational booths by Project Kokanee, California Fish and Game, and Lahonton National Fish Hatchery and USFS biologists
Black bear display
Bald eagle display
Trail runs - Sunday, October 5- Children’s 1/2 mile “Tadpole Trot” and 5k & 10k trail runs
For more information about the run, contact kokaneetrailruns@sbcglobal.net or 530-542-3424

On both Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Lake of the Sky Amphitheater will be the return of “The Drama of the Kokanee Salmon - An Interactive Play”.

Kokanee “Cycle” Club Coloring Book. Children can read and answer questions at designated spots along the Rainbow Trail and receive a free temporary tattoo of Sammy Salmon after completing the “Cycle”.

About the Kokanee (LTBMU website)

The Kokanee, landlocked cousins of the sea-going Sockeye Salmon, were introduced to Lake Tahoe in 1944 by biologists working on the lake’s north shore. These predecessors of today’s inhabitants quickly adapted to the alpine environment, joining brown trout, rainbow trout and Mackinaw among the most prominent game fish in Lake Tahoe. However, no other species in Lake Tahoe offers such a spectacular show during their mating season.

Each autumn, nature calls mature Kokanee to return to the streams from which they were hatched, select a mate, spawn and die. As that time approaches, adult males develop a humped back and a heavy, hooked jaw, equipping them for the inevitable battles over both mates and territory, and both sexes turn from their usual silver/blue color to a brilliant red. Then, en masse, the fish make one mad dash to their mating grounds, fighting their way up the shallow stream, displaying their colors to attract a mate, then battling to protect the small patch of gravel streambed where they make their “redds” or nests. For more information about the Kokanee and the festival, visit the LTBMU website here.