EDIBLE: Lake's Bolete is edible with firm texture and mild flavor. Remove the slimy cap cuticle before cooking. The bright orange colors and exclusive Douglas fir association make identification straightforward. Some people may experience digestive upset. Always cook thoroughly.
Lake's Bolete features a distinctive reddish-orange to rusty-orange cap (5-15 cm) with slimy surface when wet and characteristic scaly appearance when dry. Pores are large and angular, bright yellow, bruising brownish. The yellow stem has reddish-brown glandular dots and lacks a ring. Yellow flesh stains reddish-brown when cut. The bright colors and glandular dots are diagnostic. Spore print is cinnamon-brown.
| Family | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Genus | Suillus |
| Edibility | Edible* |
| Toxicity | unknown |
| Season | Sep-Nov |
| Habitat | Mycorrhizal exclusively with Douglas fir in Pacific Northwest forests. Forms obligate associations with Douglas fir. Found in pure Douglas fir stands and mixed conifer forests dominated by Douglas fir. |
| Region | Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington, Northern California, British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Coastal Douglas fir zone |
Habitat: Mycorrhizal exclusively with Douglas fir in Pacific Northwest forests. Forms obligate associations with Douglas fir. Found in pure Douglas fir stands and mixed conifer forests dominated by Douglas fir.
Region: Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington, Northern California, British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Coastal Douglas fir zone
Fall (September-November) with peak fruiting in October. Appears after autumn rains in Douglas fir habitats.
Typical months: Sep-Nov
Always verify identification to avoid these similar species. The differentiator is the point — learn the one or two tells that separate them:
also with Douglas fir but more brown colors
different colors and tree associations
have scabrous stems not glandular dots
not viscid, different appearance
Pin the patch before you leave it. Coordinates, photos, and field notes stay on your device — and the offline lookalike guide travels with you into the deep woods.
Download Mushroom TrackerDisclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. Never consume a wild mushroom unless you are 100% certain of its identification.