Lake Size: 191.588 sq mi Shoreline Length (Miles): 71 miles Deepest Depth: 1,645 ft Latitude: 39.091667 Longitude: -120.041667 Lake Level Above Sea Level: 6,237 feet (1,901 m) Counties: Placer, El Dorado, Douglas, Washoe & Carson Cities: South Lake Tahoe Lake Management: Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Information: Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains of the United States. It is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City, Nevada. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its depth is 1,645 ft (501 m) making it America's second-deepest, (Crater Lake, in Oregon, being the deepest at 1945 feet (594 m) deep).
The lake was formed about 2 million years ago and is a part of the Lake Tahoe Basin with the modern lake being shaped during the Ice Ages. It is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides. The area surrounding the lake is also referred to as Lake Tahoe, or simply Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction for both California and Nevada. It is home to a number of ski resorts, summer outdoor recreation, and tourist attractions. Snow and skiing are a significant part of the area's economy and reputation. Mountain and lake scenery are attractions throughout the year. The Nevada side also includes large casinos. Highways provide year-round access from Reno, Carson City and Sacramento.
Boating
Fishing
Business
Miscellaneous Info
During late Spring to early Fall, the lake is popular for water sports and beach activities. The two cities most identified with the Lake Tahoe tourist area are South Lake Tahoe, California and the smaller Stateline; smaller centers on the northern shoreline include Tahoe City and Kings Beach.
Boating is a primary activity in Tahoe in the summer. There are lake front restaurants all over the lake, most equipped with docks and buoys (See the restaurants section). There are all sorts of boating events, such as sailboat racing, firework shows over the lake, guided cruises, and more. As an interstate waterway, Lake Tahoe is subject to the United States Coast Guard. Lake Tahoe is home to Coast Guard Station Lake Tahoe.
SCUBA diving is popular at Lake Tahoe, with some dive sites offering dramatic drop-offs or wall dives. Diving at Lake Tahoe is considered advanced due to the increased risk of decompression sickness (DCS) while diving at such a high altitude.
Sport fishermen flock to Lake Tahoe region of Sierras because of the variety of Fishing Spots and the prize fish available in them. The trolling in Lake Tahoe or Donner Lake for Mackinaw and Kokanee Salmon; the fly fishing in the Truckee River for Brown, Rainbow and Brook trout is unsurpassed in the West. Golden Trout, the shyest and most sensitive of the trout family, may be caught in the "high" country lakes and streams. Our Tahoe Fish & Tips shows a pictorial view of fish found in the Sierra mountains and tips on how to catch them.
From October 1st to June 30th, the streams, which drain into Lake Tahoe and their tributaries, are closed to fishing because many of the sport fish spawn in Lake Tahoe’s tributaries in the spring and fall. However, many high Sierra lakes including Lake Tahoe are open all year, except within 300 feet of the mouth of any stream.
There are hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails all around the lake. They range in length, difficulty, and popularity. One of the most famous of Tahoe's trails is the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165 mile (270 km) trail that circumnavigates the lake. Directly to the west of the lake is the Granite Chief Wilderness, which provides great hiking and wilderness camping. Also, to the southwest is the very popular Desolation Wilderness. One of the most popular trailheads is the Eagle Lake Trailhead. There are also several paved off-road bicycle paths.
In the motion picture The Godfather Part II, the Corleone family lived in a compound on the shores of the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. In a famous scene from the final minutes of the film, Fredo Corleone is taken out onto the lake for a fishing trip, only to be executed for treachery, on the orders of his brother Michael (Al Pacino), who watches from the shore. The house and grounds portrayed in the film are actually located on the California side of Lake Tahoe: Fleur du Lac, the summer estate of Henry J. Kaiser. The only structures used in the movie that still remain are the complex of old native stone boathouses with their wrought iron gates. Although Fleur du Lac is private property and no one is allowed ashore there, the boathouses and multi-million dollar condominiums are easily viewed from the lake.
Contact Michael Willette to verify details. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT TAHOE RETREAT? THIS CHALET HAS OAK FLOORING, NEW CARPET AND PAINT AND A SOUTH FACING DECK TO LET THE SUN SHINE IN. GREAT LOCATION WITH TRAILHEAD AT THE END OF THE BLOCK...
