15th Annual

Lake Sonoma
Steelhead Festival

Saturday, February 10, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Milt Brandt Visitor Center and Congressman Don Clausen Fish Hatchery
3288 Skaggs Springs Road, Geyserville

About the Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival

The Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival is one of California's biggest and best celebrations of the endangered Steelhead Trout, which return annually to the Congressman Don Clausen Fish Hatchery at Lake Sonoma to spawn the next generation of fish.

This free event attracts 8,000-12,000 people each year to the grounds of the Milt Brandt Visitor Center at Lake Sonoma. Adults and children can view the nature exhibits and learn about environmental stewardship, preservation of natural resources and protection of threatened and endangered species.

Activities and exhibits each year have included the Bird Rescue Center, Sonoma Water, CAL FIRE, the Coast Guard and Sonoma County Bowmen. Live music, an ever-popular bubble show, arts and crafts, and fishing-themed games keep everyone entertained.

Download an event flyer in English (pdf)

Download an Event flyer in Spanish (pdf)

Click flyer images on this page to download as an image file (png)

featured booths, exhibits and activities +

fish casting +

mobile aquarium +

fish dissection

face painting +

stream walk and talk +

coho talk +

live music +

archery range +

burro rides +

bubble show

featured booths, exhibits and activities + fish casting + mobile aquarium + fish dissection face painting + stream walk and talk + coho talk + live music + archery range + burro rides + bubble show

Booths, Exhibits, Food and Drink

calfire crew with fire truck at a festival

kids looking in microscopes at a fair exhibit

a little child looking over a wooden model of a landscape

Sonoma County 4-H

Food & Drink

Crafted Cup

Big Earl’s BBQ

El Coyote

Fruity Moto of Sonoma

Healdsburg Kiwanis

Just Popped Up

Lola’s Market

Ultimate Souvlaki

The Wurst Restaurant

Wicked Slush

Bear Republic Beer

Wines from the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley

a woman pours a glass of wine for a visitor to an outdoor festival

Get Involved!

To keep this festival growing -- and allow us to offer this FREE to everyone that attends, the Friends of Lake Sonoma and its partners appreciate the support of our sponsors and business community.

a young man and woman in black zip up jackets smile and pose with their cups of italian ice

Sponsor the Festival

Sponsorship levels range from

$5000 Presenting Sponsor
$2500 Gold Sponsor
$1000 Steelhead Sponsor

Benefits include your company logo on advertising and promotional materials, banners at the festival, a booth at the festival and other special rewards.

a woman in a coat stands outside next to her display of handmade jewelry for sale at a festival booth

a few adults stand outdoors under a black pop up canopy with the words Northern Sonoma County Fire

Host a Vendor Booth SOLD OUT

Host a Nonprofit Organization Booth - SOLD OUT

As of 1/19/2023 all of our vendor and nonprofit organization booths are filled!

Showcase your local businesses or nonprofit organization with a booth exhibit or activity at the festival! In 2023 the festival featured 60 booths and attracted more than 8,000 attendees.

The event is free, but food and beverages are for purchase. Please note that food, wine and beer vendor booths are arranged by invitation only.

Donate to Friends of Lake Sonoma

Friends of Lake Sonoma is the nonprofit fundraising and volunteer organization that helps host this annual event. Consider a financial or in-kind donation to our festival! Extra funds raised go toward our education program which brings thousands of local school children for an educational tour of the hatchery and visitor center.

a man looks over things available for silent auction at an event

Donate to the Silent Auction

Our Silent Auction at the Visitor Center raises funds for Friends of Lake Sonoma

two adult volunteers with red vests stand at a reception desk and talk with smiles

Volunteer to Help

The Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival depends on many volunteers to happen! We love all our volunteers who help plan and host this festival. Click the link to sign up for one of many ways to help with set up on Friday, Feb. 9, lend a hand during the festival, or clean up after.