LAKEPORT — Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina is closed to bass tournaments beginning Aug. 15 and until further notice.
Casino management said the marina facility, which hosts a majority of the major tournaments held on Clear Lake, will remain open for use by recreational fishermen but not for tournaments because of concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina has been working with bass tournament directors in taking extra steps to ensure participant and public safety during this COVID pandemic. Although, as concerned community members, we have watched numbers continue to spike in the spread of COVID-19 in California, we feel we need to do our part to assist in lowering the numbers,” the casino said in a statement appearing on its website Monday. “That is why starting August 15th, 2020, Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina will no longer host any fishing tournaments through the end of the year. While it was a difficult decision to make, we feel it will allow us to more efficiently maintain social distancing and safety protocols on our property, in an effort to keep our guests, team members, fishermen and community safe.”
While bass tournaments are temporarily shut out of Konocti Vista Casino’s marina facilities, they are still free to hold their tournaments at other venues, including Redbud Park in Clearlake or the County Park in Kelseyville.
Konocti Vista Casino management also said that while the business will not be holding bass tournaments, the casino, hotel, RV park, marina, convenience store, snack bar (for takeout only) and marina grill are still open with modified hours and COVID-19 protocols in place.
“We are appreciating the understanding of all the tournament directors and fishermen as we shared this turn of events with them this week. We can only hope that by the beginning of next year’s fishing season, we will be throwing open the gate to the marina and inviting everyone back to weigh-ins and award events!” said management on its website.
Among the tournament organizations affected is FLW, which had a major tournament scheduled to go out of Konocti Vista Casino on Sept. 24-26, including professional, college and high school divisions.
