Cougar

Big & Little Cougar Lakes sit at over 5000 feet in elevation and are popular with hikers and equestrians. Take in the great view of "House Rock" as you enjoy the sandy banks of the lake fishing for small, abundant Eastern Brook Trout.

Getting here:

From 410/Chinook Pass Hwy turn onto the Bumping River Road & proceed past Bumping Lake onto a dirt road to the USFS Rd #1800 junction. Continue on Rd #1800 until it ends at Trail Head #970. Hike Trail #970 (with ford of upper Bumping River), pass by Swamp Lake to junction with Trail #958. Continue to Cougar Lakes on Trail # 958A (total distance approx. 5.5 miles).

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Yakima
Acreage: 78.40 ac.
Elevation: 5019 ft.
TRS: T15R11E SEC4
Center: 46.812707, -121.440605
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Fishing resources

Fish stocking info
Release Location: COUGAR LK BIG (YAKI)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Jul 13, 2021 Rainbow 2,028 483 NACHES HATCHERY
Aug 3, 2019 Rainbow 1,800 180 NACHES HATCHERY
Jul 14, 2017 Rainbow 2,100 350 NACHES HATCHERY
Jul 25, 2015 Rainbow 2,050 200 NACHES HATCHERY
Sep 6, 2014 Rainbow 795 150 NACHES HATCHERY
Visit the Catchable Trout Plants page for a more detailed search of trout plants in other bodies of water. To view and download the source data for this table visit the WDFW Fish Plants dataset on data.wa.gov.

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Photos
Cougar
Photo by WDFW