Brook Trout Stocked · 15 plants · last September 2025 Best: dawn, day, dusk Last stocked September 2025 · avg 4.2 in · 15 plants
Best: dawn, day, dusk
Brook Trout species guideBug Lake fishing
Bug Lake fishing has Brook Trout on the stocking report. Also recorded: Lake trout, rainbow smelt, kokanee salmon, and round whitefish ( endangered ). It is stocked about once a year since 2011, most often in September and October. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brook Trout, dawn for Lake trout, and night for rainbow smelt.
- Last stocked
- September 2025
- Brook Trout
- Plants on record
- 15
- Since 2011
- Species stocked
- 1 (+4 also recorded)
- Average size
- 4.2 in
- Elevation
- 1,992 ft
Fish at Bug Lake
Brook Trout Stocked · 15 plants · last September 2025 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Lake trout Confirmed present Best: dawn Best: dawn
Lake trout species guide
rainbow smelt Confirmed present Best: night Best: night
rainbow smelt species guide
kokanee salmon Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
kokanee salmon species guide round whitefish ( endangered ) Confirmed present
Bug Lake, located east of Inlet, New York, requires a one-mile hike to access fishing. Fish species present in the lake are lake trout, kokanee salmon, brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow smelt. Brook trout fishing is most popular, but lake trout can reach large size. Bug Lake has one of the few remaining kokanee salmon fisheries in New York State; most caught are 6-8 inches in size. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)(dec.ny.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Bug Lake is stocked
No plants recorded in 2016.
Fish stocked in 2011
2,800
Fish stocked in 2012
2,000
Fish stocked in 2013
3,200
Fish stocked in 2014
3,200
Fish stocked in 2015
3,200
Fish stocked in 2017
3,200
Fish stocked in 2018
2,550
Fish stocked in 2019
3,200
Fish stocked in 2020
2,080
Fish stocked in 2021
3,200
Fish stocked in 2022
3,200
Fish stocked in 2023
3,200
Fish stocked in 2024
3,200
Fish stocked in 2025
3,200
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Brook Trout | 3,200 | 4 in | report |
| September 2024 | Brook Trout | 3,200 | 3.9 in | report |
| September 2023 | Brook Trout | 3,200 | 4 in | report |
| September 2022 | Brook Trout | 3,200 | 4 in | report |
| September 2021 | Brook Trout | 3,200 | 3.8 in | report |
| September 2020 | Brook Trout | 2,080 | 4.6 in | report |
| September 2019 | Brook Trout | 3,200 | 4.2 in | report |
| September 2018 | Brook Trout | 2,550 | 5 in | report |
| October 2017 | Brook Trout | 3,200 | 5 in | report |
| September 2015 | Brook Trout | 3,200 | 4.2 in | report |
| October 2014 | Brook Trout | 3,200 | 4.4 in | report |
| September 2013 | Brook Trout | 3,200 | 3.1 in | report |
| October 2012 | Brook Trout | 2,000 | 4.1 in | report |
| October 2011 | Brook Trout | 1,800 | 5 in | report |
| October 2011 | Brook Trout | 1,000 | 3.6 in | report |
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Inlet
- Shore access
- Yes
- Boat ramp
- No
- Float tube friendly
- Yes
- Facilities
- camping
About a 1-mile hike from the trailhead lot at the far end of DEC's Eighth Lake Campground, on a former mountain road in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest. Canoe carriers can bring in small boats; no ramp. Shore fishing is allowed, and several primitive campsites sit on the lake.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation before you go.
About Bug Lake
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, this lake has a reputation of producing good sized coldwater fish, which makes the effort to access the lake worthwhile. (dec.ny.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Bug Lake?
Fishing Bug Lake usually means Brook Trout. All 15 plants on record are Brook Trout. Brook Trout was last stocked September 2025, averaging 4.2 in. Lake trout, rainbow smelt, kokanee salmon, and round whitefish ( endangered ) are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Bug Lake stocked?
Last stocked September 2025. It is stocked about once a year since 2011, most often in September and October. No plants recorded in 2016.
How big are the fish stocked at Bug Lake?
Brook Trout stocked at Bug Lake average 4.2 in.
How do you get on Bug Lake?
Shore fishing is available, there is no boat ramp, and it is float tube friendly. The nearest town is Inlet. Facilities include camping. About a 1-mile hike from the trailhead lot at the far end of DEC's Eighth Lake Campground, on a former mountain road in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest. Canoe carriers can bring in small boats; no ramp. Shore fishing is allowed, and several primitive campsites sit on the lake.
Which lakes near Bug Lake were stocked more recently?
Limekiln Lake (5.2 mi) was stocked more recently.