Payette Lake produces new state catch-and-release lake trout — yes, again

By now, if you follow Idaho Fish and Game’s stringer of record fish stories, you’re well aware that there’s one lake that comes to mind when you mention the words lake trout: Payette Lake. But if not, allow me to bring you up to speed. 

Bringing back Payette’s lake trout 

Lake trout (also known as Mackinaw) were introduced into Payette Lake in 1955. These long-lived predators can survive for more than 40 years, grow beyond 40 inches in length, and exceed 50 pounds. As the stocked fish matured, the trophy fishery gained popularity. During the 1990s, it wasn't uncommon for anglers to catch multiple lake trout over 15 pounds and occasionally fish exceeding 30 pounds in a single day.

By the early 2000s, lake trout abundance had increased dramatically, but there was a tradeoff. Overabundance of lake trout meant fewer food resources, leading to thin and undernourished lake trout that still reached decent lengths but more closely resembled eels than trophy freshwater fish. This also meant big declines in the kokanee population, the lake trout's main diet.

By 2014, fisheries managers recognized that action was needed. They began reducing the number of smaller lake trout to lessen predation on kokanee, but released trophy-sized fish. This increased kokanee survival and made more food available for the remaining trophy lake trout. 

And the results paid off. 

Since 2018, staff have removed approximately 3,100 lake trout from Payette Lake, averaging roughly 445 fish per year. The condition of lake trout has also recovered, with Payette Lake producing five catch-and-release state records since 2016.

Read Regional Fisheries Manager Jordan Messner’s “What's going on with the Payette Lake fishery?” article here. 

Actually, make that six

Normally, we’re lucky to highlight one record fish per fishery per year, but again, if you’ve been following the Fish and Game newswire this summer, you might recall seeing Payette Lake in the headlines already this summer. 

Dylan Smith, the lucky Idaho Falls angler who caught a 43.25-inch laker back on May 2, barely had time to show off his crown to his friends. Pencils have erasers, thank goodness, because on July 8 of this year, Kim Anderson pulled out a 44-inch lake trout from none other than Payette Lake, earning himself the new state catch and release record. 

Anderson’s fish is now the third record in the last two years.

Congratulations on your new state record, Kim!

More About Idaho’s State Record Fish

Thinking about chasing a state record fish? Check out the state record fish page for more information. 

How to Apply for a Catch-and-Release Record

All applicants must submit a complete Record Fish Application Form, with accompanying photographs. This form can be completed online or downloaded from our website here.

• Fish must be released alive. (See tips on safely releasing fish in the Fishing Rules booklet.)
• Steelhead, ocean-run salmon, bull trout, and white sturgeon submitted for records must be measured and photographed in the water.
• Catch-and-release records are based only on the total length (snout to tip of tail) for fish released alive.
• Fish must be photographed directly next to a ruler/tape or an object of known verifiable length.
• New catch-and-release white sturgeon records must be broken by a minimum of 2 inches.
• Catch-and-release records for all other species must be broken by a minimum of ½ inch.
• All applications must be submitted within 30 days of the catch date.

How to Apply for Certified Weight Records

Records will be awarded for either fish caught by angling (rod/reel) or by archery/spearfish for legal unprotected nongame species. Archery/spear fishing records will be listed separately and identified by the angler on the application form. No records will be awarded for fish caught during salvage seasons or at private pay-to-fish facilities.

NOTE: Idaho Fish and Game now provides certified scales for weighing potential records at the Panhandle, Clearwater, Nampa, Headquarters (Boise), Jerome, and Pocatello regional offices.