Are there sharks in Lake Tahoe?
No, but there are many other threats that you might not know about, such as cold water shock.
Are there sharks in Lake Tahoe is a good question to ask especially if you have a fear of sharks as I do.
A few decades ago, scientists thought that the lake was too cold for sharks to survive.
However, they found out that some species of sharks can live in temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C).
Lake Tahoe is a body of water in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, about 150 miles long.
The lake covers 191 square miles and is 686 feet deep at its deepest point.
Lake Tahoe is home to many unique species of plants and animals, including 16 types of freshwater fish, 6 different types of trout, and more than 30 different types of birds.
Sharks live in various areas of some lakes depending on their specific type.
The Blacknose Shark lives in deep water from 900 feet to 2,000 feet below surface level.
The Sand Tiger Shark prefers warmer water near the surface and likes to stay between 100-400 feet beneath it.
Although the ocean is where you are more likely to be attacked by a shark there was a recorded lake shark attack that this seven-year-old boy was the victim of.
Is It Safe To Swim In Lake Tahoe?
Yes, it’s safe to swim in Lake Tahoe.
I’ve discovered many places where you can swim, dive, and even get nude in Lake Tahoe.
Check Out The Best Secret Swimming Spots In Lake Tahoe:
#2. Sand Harbor
#3. Angora Lakes
#4. Pope Beach
#5. Secret Cove Beach (My Favorite Spot)
There are more places for you to swim and explore the above are just some of my favorites.
You will need to check out each area to find out which ones you’ll want to come back to again.
Are There Dangerous Fish In Lake Tahoe?
Jumping into the Lake and not knowing what’s in it can make anyone second guess that decision.
There have been some interesting finds of fish that are in Lake Tahoe.
Below Are Some Fish You Might Encounter:
- Monster Goldfish
- Moves Like A Shark But Experts Say It’s a Trout… What Do You Think?
- Kokanee Salmon
- Lake Trout
- Rainbow Trout
- Brown Trout
Although I haven’t swum in Lake Tahoe, I did get to waist level and felt various fish swimming against my legs.
For the most part, the water is cold and refreshing on a hot summer’s day.
Jet skiing is very popular as well as fishing.
Are There Alligators In Lake Tahoe?
Again No, You don’t have to worry about Alligator or Sharks in Lake Tahoe.
However, you may find the following Animals:
- Black Bear
- Coyote
- Mountain Beaver
- Mountain Lion
- Mule Deer
If you run into any of these wild animals you need to practice caution.
To avoid a bear attack you need to remain calm.
Move slowly and get out of the area.
If you see a coyote while walking it’s important to be loud and assertive and slowly back away.
During my travels to Lake Tahoe, I could hear coyotes during the evening and they sound frightening.
Although I never ran into any of them while I was walking.
That being said there is a chance you could encounter a mountain lion if you intend to go exploring the wilderness.
You can’t outrun a mountain lion and should never try to run if you spot one.
Instead, stay calm and keep children close to you.
The threat of running into a mountain lion is more common when you go hiking.
Always practice safety and be aware of your surroundings so you can keep yourself and your family safe.
Fun Indoor Activities In Lake Tahoe
So now that we know there are no sharks in Lake Tahoe you may feel a little more at ease about spending time in the lake.
Depending on the time of year you visit Lake Tahoe can change what you do there.
I’ve been in Lake Tahoe in both the Winter and Summer and I’d have to say I prefer the summer because I’m not much of a skier and I prefer warmer temperatures.
There are plenty of fun things you can do indoors as well as outdoors when you visit Lake Tahoe.
Since you know of some of the fun outdoor activities I’ve come up with a list of fun indoor activities below:
#1. Bowling
The top two bowling spots are bowl incline and Tahoe bowl.
Since I have only been to bowl incline I’ll elaborate more on it.
It should be noted that at the time of this article bowl incline is closed for remodeling and will reopen in early 2022.
For that reason make sure to call them before stopping by.
Here is their number: (775) 831-1900
If you aren’t a bowler they also offer billiards.
They are coin-operated so you just pay for the game.
The Tahoe maritime museum is one of three indoor options you can check out.
Your other options are the Gatekeepers museum and the Thunderbird Lodge Historic Site.
#3. Lake Tahoe Paint and Sip (Recommended)
Unfortunately, the art studio is temporarily closed at this time.
Although they offer mobile paint parties.
If you enjoy wine and art this is a great indoor option.
#4. Movies
Tahoe offers nice movie theatres you can choose from the following:
- Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema
- Heavenly Villiage Cinema
- Village Cinemas at Northstar
#5. Shopping or Slots?
You can actually do both if you like.
If you want to start with shopping the shops at the heavenly village and the village at Northstar stores are both good choices.
And if you are looking to hit the casinos Lake Tahoe has 12 to choose from.
Below Are my favorite Lake Tahoe casinos:
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
- Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Casino
- Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Casino
Although I’ve never won a fortune in any casino the food and drinks, as well as the atmosphere, are great at the hotels listed above.
I’ve found that these hotels are especially busy during New Year’s Eve, the 4th of July, and the summer months.
So make sure to plan ahead to schedule your reservations.
Conclusion
Are there sharks in Lake Tahoe…
… No.
You’ll have many options for places to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about sharks.
Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place and I’ve been there many times because it offers so many fun outdoor and indoor activities.
If you come during the summer or NYE make sure to get reservations in advance.
And if you plan to hike make sure to keep yourself and your family safe from the wild animals that you may encounter.
Snakes, Bears, and Mountain lions are the main dangers in my opinion.
Thankfully no Sharks to add to that list.
The main reason I would never swim in Lake Tahoe is that the water is so cold.
Although the summer months are definitely hot and jumping into the lake during those months does feel refreshing.
Thanks for reading if you’d like to check out my other articles you can find them here.
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