Anglers have deep set of options for fishing in the Payette River Mountain region
You like to catch trout? We’ve got ‘em. You want to go after perch and bass? We’ve got ‘em. How about salmon and steelhead? We’ve got them, too, and some other exotic wonders like 6-foot white sturgeon.
The Payette River Mountains region has many options for casual and hard-core anglers, whether it’s fishing for lake mackinaw in Payette Lake, rainbows, bass and perch in Lake Cascade, rainbows in Warm Lake and Horsethief Reservoir or cutthroat and rainbow trout in high-mountain lakes near Snowbank Mountain and in the high country north of McCall.
During steelhead season in the late fall and spring, the Salmon River is the place to be near Riggins, Whitebird and upstream toward French Creek and Vinegar Creek. Many outfitters in the Riggins area offer guided jet boat fishing and drift boat fishing for steelhead. During Chinook salmon season in early
On Lake Cascade, anglers go after perch and rainbows in the winter time by boring holes in the ice and lowering baited lines. After ice-out, it can be great fishing for rainbows in early to mid-June. Anglers troll the deep channel of Lake Cascade for trout. Perch can be found along the shore near structure. Anglers use rubber-tailed jigs, worm and cut bait to catch them. Small-mouth bass also are caught mainly along shore near structure. Folks use jigs and plastic worms. East of Cascade, Warm Lake and Horsethief Reservoir are two favorite trout-fishing holes for anglers of all kinds. Idaho Fish and Game keeps the two lakes well-stocked with trout throughout the summer season. summer, the same outfitters provide guided fishing on the Salmon River near Riggins. If you like to go after salmon on your own, the South Fork the Salmon is a favorite place to go. Watch for local news reports and regulations as to whether the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will offer a salmon season in 2007.
TOP 10 CAMPING DESTINATIONS
- PONDEROSA STATE PARK - VERY POPULAR, SWIMMING, BOATING, HIKING, BIKING, R&R
- LAKE CASCADE STATE PARK - PICK A SPOT AROUND LAKE CASCADE, SWIMMING, BOATING, FISHING, R&R
- PAYETTE LAKE - NORTH BEACH AREA, GREAT DURING THE WEEK, CROWDED ON WEEKENDS, SWIMMING, BOATING, R&R
- UPPER PAYETTE LAKE - SWIMMING, BOATING, FISHING, R&R
- WARM LAKE - FISHING, BOATING, SWIMMING, R&R
- DEADWOOD RESERVOIR - FISHING, BOATING, SWIMMING, HIKING, R&R
- POVERTY FLAT, SOUTH FORK SALMON - FISHING, SWIMMING, R&R
- YELLOW PINE - FISHING, SIGHT-SEEING, SWIMMING, R&R
- BURGDORF - CLOSE TO BURGDORF HOT SPRINGS AND CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, HIKING, BIKING, HOT SPRINGS, R&R
- SPRING BAR - ON BANKS OF SALMON RIVER, BIG SANDY BEACH, SWIMMING, BOATING, HIKING, R&R
On Payette Lake, huge lake trout, known as mackinaw, swim in the depths of the deep lake. The fishing season for mackinaw begins in the spring, right after ice-out. These fish average 10-15 pounds, and they get as big as 30 pounds.
For the hardier angler who doesn’t mind hiking up steep mountains to find their own private Idaho next to a beautiful high-mountain lake, trout fishing is best done with dry flies or trout lures. Check with the McCall Angler as to which high-mountain lakes are the best. Another method that works is trial and error. Keep trying. During the heat of the summer and in the fall, trout in high lakes are very active and fun to catch. The water is so clear you can watch them come up from below and take your fly. This is what fly fishing is all about.
The Payette River south of Cascade and south of McCall also can be productive for catching trout. The fish tend to be smaller between McCall and the northern end of Lake Cascade, and bigger between Cascade and Cabarton and between Cabarton Bridge and Smith’s Ferry. All three of these sections are quite remote with very little bank access. However, one can float these sections in a canoe, small raft or fishing cat. See the guidebook Paddling the Payette by Steve Stuebner
