Endangered Gilled Visitors Are Guests Of Honor At 2026 Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Each spring, steelhead trout return to Sonoma County and anglers and spectators alike line up to watch them spawn the next generation, a strong indication that even the fish have fan clubs

On March 7, fandom kicks into a new gear during the Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival, where thousands of visitors are expected converge in one of California’s largest celebrations of the endangered gilled guests, which return each year to the Congressman Don Clausen Fish Hatchery to spawn.

The free festival draws 5,000–8,000 visitors each year to the Milt Brandt Visitor Center. Families can explore nature exhibits, meet organizations like CAL FIRE and the Bird Rescue Center, while learning about environmental stewardship and protecting endangered species like the honored Steelhead swimmers.

Spawning demonstrations will be held at the hatchery and there will also be guided tours.

For children, there are arts and crafts projects, archery, and a large-scale bubble show.

Musicians will be on stage throughout the day with performances by Krome Addikt, Play Marimba!, and School of Rock Santa Rosa.

Food from barbecue to funnel cakes and tacos will be available. Draft beer from Bear Republic will be on top along with wine from Quivira Vineyards.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 7 at Warm Springs Dam, 3288 Skaggs Springs Road, Geyserville. Proceeds will benefit Friends of Lake Sonoma.

Contact: Jane Hodges Young Friends of Lake Sonoma (707) 694-1916 or Janehyoung73@gmail.com or Stuart Tiffen Sonoma Water (707) 322-1223 or stuart.tiffen@scwa.ca.gov.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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