I live in Atlanta and am going to a wedding in Lake Tahoe (closer to South side). I can rent a boar and guide from an outfitter but would be happy to go with a local paddler who has an exttra sea kayak and bear (I’d bring a wetsuit). I’ll be there around August 11 and am interested in maybe a 3 hour paddle. I’m fairly proficient: decent onside roll, been paddling for over 30 years, have done an instructor devel workshop on the Ga coast etc. Let me know if you’d like to paddle with someone from the other side of the country.
A difficult lake to paddle. Go in the morning before the wind. The south east shore over by Sand Harbor is probably best for paddling. You are right to bring a wet suit. Even in August the water temp will be in the 60s.
Not local, so can’t help with local paddling buddy. Have paddled the lake a bit, including circumnavigating 3 times as a safety boater/guide for a non-profit fund raiser.
Sand Harbor is actually in north east corner (not SE). Pretty place - and paddling from there south along east shore is most rugged section of lake. That, or paddling in to Emerald Bay (and watch for osprey nests on south side of Emerald Bay), are probably the most iconic stretches.
Reality is the water is cold - should be low 60s in August. But you probably won’t see anyone wearing we suit or dry suit. And I don’t think they are provided by rental companies. South sore can be a bit warmer but not warm), as it is shallower than north shore.
Also I don’t know of any rental company that rents sea kayaks. Most or all do sit on tops (and paddle boards). Some, like the folks at Cave Rock, use those clear kayaks.