Payette Lake

[dustyjohns]

So, now that the secret is out, will we be seeing a Payette Lake report? I’ve been fishing it the past 2 years and caught some huge Kokanee. I did try the little Payette last spring as well. Once I finally got one to the boat, I saw why the limit was 25 and I couldn’t keep them on. The fish are tiny little things. Would probably be great for canning.

[ricks]

I fished Payette a lot 12-15 years ago. Not much but lake trout and rainbows back then. Never saw a koke. Looking forward to figuring out the lake again as relates to kokanee. I figure the couple major creek inlets and the islands in the middle are best places to start, but reality rules.

[msusprtn]

Split a day between Cascade & Payette. For Payette - last year the nice fish were early spawners. I think the last time they were stocked was last years age class, so they are all gone. I had heard the fish being caught now are on the small side. My 1/2 day fishing confirmed that. I'll be fishing elsewhere this season. I'm sure the local fisherman will hit it, but it's not worth the drive from the Boise area in my opinion. There was a F&G guy taking info for catch rates. Lots of "zeros" on the clipboard. Talked to a couple of boats when I was pulling out: a zero, & and 2.

[ricks]

Split a day between Cascade & Payette. For Payette - last year the nice fish were early spawners. I think the last time they were stocked was last years age class, so they are all gone. I had heard the fish being caught now are on the small side. My 1/2 day fishing confirmed that. I'll be fishing elsewhere this season. I'm sure the local fisherman will hit it, but it's not worth the drive from the Boise area in my opinion. There was a F&G guy taking info for catch rates. Lots of "zeros" on the clipboard. Talked to a couple of boats when I was pulling out: a zero, & and 2.

Ouch!

Not leaving many choices from up here north of Payette and south of Dworshak.