Moutcha Bay resort to Cougar Creek rec site - Dock pick up and drop off

[Hot-Streak]

Never fished Nootka before. Looking forward to trying it for the first time.

I am looking at joining some friends end of July who are staying at Moutcha Buy but when I called today they told me the dates I wanted to camp there were full. My alternate plan is to camp at Cougar Creek rec site and have them pick me up as they go by in the morning and drop me off on the way back.

For those that have fished those areas I am assuming Cougar Creek docks are on the way out from Moutcha bay to the fishing grounds?
How long is the it from Moutcha to Cougar creek, dock-to-dock? Driving time says about 30 minutes so direct by boat would be about 10 minutes?

Cougar creek campsite info
1) It doesn't seem to have a reservation option so I am assuming its first come first serve. I will going during a week day and going by small hatchback with a buddy. We plan to set up a basic camp site with a tent and fire pit (gas as I assume the campfire ban will be in effect by then).

2) Does it get cold there at night? hot there at night?

3) Site seem to be basic and do not have any services (electricity/hot showers/water?)

I am on the waiting list for Moutcha Bay camp site if one comes up but cougar creek will be back back up. Any other advice about the rec site would be great. I will NOT be bringing a boat. I will just hop on/hop off the boat of my friend who is staying at Moutcha.

If anyone has any better alternatives please let me know. Thanks in advance for the tips/info!

 

[seahorse]

The Cougar Creek campsite is 4 miles from Moutcha Bay and yes on the way out to the fishing grounds so very easy to get picked up on the dock. It does cool down at night but a sleeping bag works great. The Cougar Creek site is a Forest Service campsite, very basic, I have only driven into it many years ago but the dock was upgraded recently, you could probably Google it for a full summary of information. Nootka is hands down my favourite place to fish, it will be awesome.

 

[MacDuff]

Never fished Nootka before. Looking forward to trying it for the first time.

I am looking at joining some friends end of July who are staying at Moutcha Buy but when I called today they told me the dates I wanted to camp there were full. My alternate plan is to camp at Cougar Creek rec site and have them pick me up as they go by in the morning and drop me off on the way back.

For those that have fished those areas I am assuming Cougar Creek docks are on the way out from Moutcha bay to the fishing grounds?
How long is the it from Moutcha to Cougar creek, dock-to-dock? Driving time says about 30 minutes so direct by boat would be about 10 minutes?

Cougar creek campsite info
1) It doesn't seem to have a reservation option so I am assuming its first come first serve. I will going during a week day and going by small hatchback with a buddy. We plan to set up a basic camp site with a tent and fire pit (gas as I assume the campfire ban will be in effect by then).

2) Does it get cold there at night? hot there at night?

3) Site seem to be basic and do not have any services (electricity/hot showers/water?)

I am on the waiting list for Moutcha Bay camp site if one comes up but cougar creek will be back back up. Any other advice about the rec site would be great. I will NOT be bringing a boat. I will just hop on/hop off the boat of my friend who is staying at Moutcha.

If anyone has any better alternatives please let me know. Thanks in advance for the tips/info!

No cell service past gold river so you might want to think about how you'll communicate with your friends. Also, there is a rec site campground near the Conuma hatchery about 8km up the Head Bay FSR from Moutcha Bay. It's rarely busy.

 

[pescador]

There’s another Marina camp site called Tuta located just south of Camel Rock. It’s located on the magenta dot.
It’s 10 minutes past Cougar Creek approx. I’ve never stayed there but it’s got good access to the normal fishing locations

 

[Hot-Streak]

Thanks for the info! I plan to have my handheld marine VHF for comms and set a time to meet at the dock as backup.

 

[midnite angler]

Hey, does anyone know if the Cougar Creek boat launch has year round access? Or does it have a gate? If so, anyone know when it's opening and closing dates are?
Also, is there another launch option close by...I have a small skiff so not good for Gold River run to the fishin' grounds. Thinking about doing a late season trip .

 

[willydw]

Hey, does anyone know if the Cougar Creek boat launch has year round access? Or does it have a gate? If so, anyone know when it's opening and closing dates are?
Also, is there another launch option close by...I have a small skiff so not good for Gold River run to the fishin' grounds. Thinking about doing a late season trip .

On line it’s says cougar creek campsite closed and gated until may. 2025.

 

[midnite angler]

On line it’s says cougar creek campsite closed and gated until may. 2025.

Thank you.
I shoulda looked there first I guess.