Bug Lake is located just outside of the Village of Inlet. This beautiful remote lake requires a one mile hike to access fishing. The trailhead to Bug Lake begins at the far end of DEC's Eighth Lake Campground. This lake has a reputation of producing good sized coldwater fish, which makes the effort to access the lake worthwhile.
Physical Features:
Elevation: 1,992 feet
Area: 78 Acres
Shoreline Length: 2.2 miles
County and Town: Hamilton County, Village of Inlet
Bug Lake Contour Map (PDF)
Access:
Located within the Moose River Plains Wild Forest. Fishing access is allowed along the shores. A former mountain road provides relatively easy trail access, and it is possible to use canoe carriers to bring in small watercraft. There are several excellent primitive campsites on the pond.
Fish Species:
Lake trout, rainbow smelt, brook trout, kokanee salmon, round whitefish (endangered).
Fishing:
The coldwater fishing within this lake has been popular for decades. Brook trout fishing is most popular, but lake trout can reach large size in this lake. Bug Lake has one of the few remaining kokanee salmon fisheries in New York State. Kokanee stocking stopped years ago, but the fish are naturally reproducing. Most Kokanee caught are 6-8 inches in size. They can sometimes be caught using small flies when they surface feed on midge hatches at dusk.
The endangered fish species, round whitefish, was reintroduced to this pond. As with all endangered and threatened fish, it must be released if caught.
Ice Fishing:
Prohibited.
Regulations:
Statewide Fishing Regulations Apply.
Fisheries Management:
To keep the fishery at Bug Lake thriving, every year it is stocked with approximately 3,200 brook trout.
