Bug Lake fishing

Fishing at Bug Lake has Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Kokanee Salmon, rainbow smelt, and round whitefish ( endangered ) on the stocking report. 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 dawn and dusk for Kokanee Salmon.

Last stocked

September 1, 2025

Plants on record

15

Since 2011

Species recorded

1

Average size

4.2 in

Elevation

1,992 ft

Access and facts

Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
No
Float tube friendly
Yes
Facilities
camping

Inside Moose River Plains Wild Forest, reached by a former mountain road with trail access. Shore fishing is allowed, and canoe carriers can bring in small watercraft; no boat ramp. Several primitive campsites line the pond.

Sources: access , shore_notes , facilities , speciesFound , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , angler_notes

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How Bug Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of September. In 2025 it was September 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2016.

Fish at Bug Lake

Fishing Bug Lake is most likely to be for Brook Trout. All 15 plants on record are Brook Trout.

Brook Trout 15 plants
Plants
15 of 15
Last stocked
September 1, 2025
Average length
4.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brook Trout guide.

Fishing Bug Lake

Bug Lake, located east of Inlet, New York, requires a one-mile hike to access fishing. The coldwater fishing within this lake has been popular for decades. 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. The endangered fish species, round whitefish, was reintroduced to this pond and must be released if caught.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org , dec.ny.gov

What anglers say

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.

Fish stocked per year

  • 2,8002011
  • 2,0002012
  • 3,2002013
  • 3,2002014
  • 3,2002015
  • 3,2002017
  • 2,5502018
  • 3,2002019
  • 2,0802020
  • 3,2002021
  • 3,2002022
  • 3,2002023
  • 3,2002024
  • 3,2002025

Stocking history

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
September 1, 2025 Brook Trout 3,200 4 in report
September 1, 2024 Brook Trout 3,200 3.9 in report
September 1, 2023 Brook Trout 3,200 4 in report
September 1, 2022 Brook Trout 3,200 4 in report
September 1, 2021 Brook Trout 3,200 3.8 in report
September 1, 2020 Brook Trout 2,080 4.6 in report
September 1, 2019 Brook Trout 3,200 4.2 in report
September 1, 2018 Brook Trout 2,550 5 in report
October 1, 2017 Brook Trout 3,200 5 in report
September 1, 2015 Brook Trout 3,200 4.2 in report
October 1, 2014 Brook Trout 3,200 4.4 in report
September 1, 2013 Brook Trout 3,200 3.1 in report
October 1, 2012 Brook Trout 2,000 4.1 in report
October 1, 2011 Brook Trout 1,800 5 in report
October 1, 2011 Brook Trout 1,000 3.6 in report

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes