Little Payette Lake
Flows into the Lake Fork
- Recommended Fishing Water
Little Payette Lake in Valley County is 1,439.5 acres.
Little Payette Lake is a natural lake with a depth of over 100ft. A 15ft tall dam was built in 1926 to hold more water for irrigation storage. From June through mid-September, irrigation storage doubles the surface area of Little Payette Lake, and inundates a large expanse of shallow flats containing stumps and root wads from what used to be forest land. This area can be productive fishing for quality size smallmouth bass during the summer.
Once irrigation season ends (mid-September) the boat ramp is no longer usable. Very small crafts (14ft or less) still have the potential to dry-launch late into the fall, but use caution as the ground is soft.
Recommended Game Fish
- Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka)
- Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
- Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Tiger Muskie (Esox lucius x Esox masquinongy)
Species Observed in Surveys
- Kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka observed in 2022
- Largescale Sucker Catostomus macrocheilus observed in 2022
- Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni observed in 2022
- Northern Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis observed in 2022
- Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu observed in 2022
- Tiger Muskellunge Esox masquinongy x lucius observed in 2019
- Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss observed in 2016
- Rainbow x Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss x clarkii observed in 2014
- Cottus Cottus observed in 2011
- Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus observed in 2010
- Utah Chub Gila atraria observed in 2010
- Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis observed in 2001
- Splake Salvelinus namaycush x fontinalis observed in 1997
- Redside Shiner Richardsonius balteatus observed in 1994
Fish Stocking Records
Date | Species | Quantity | General Size |
---|---|---|---|
2024/06/13 | Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid | 5,244 | Catchable (12-14 inches) |
2023/06/09 | Tiger Muskie | 500 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2023/06/08 | Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid | 5,025 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2022/08/10 | Tiger Muskie | 50 | Catchable (12-14 inches) |
2022/06/29 | Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid | 5,031 | Catchable (12-14 inches) |
2022/05/11 | Tiger Muskie | 500 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2021/06/18 | Smallmouth Bass | 600 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2019/06/06 | Tiger Muskie | 500 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2018/06/06 | Tiger Muskie | 500 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2017/06/22 | Smallmouth Bass | 560 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2017/06/14 | Tiger Muskie | 512 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2016/05/23 | Tiger Muskie | 1,000 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2015/06/25 | Smallmouth Bass | 600 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2014/06/12 | Smallmouth Bass | 782 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2013/06/03 | Tiger Muskie | 1,304 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2012/09/27 | Smallmouth Bass | 368 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2012/05/23 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 9,300 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2011/08/12 | Smallmouth Bass | 849 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2010/05/27 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 10,062 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2009/07/09 | Smallmouth Bass | 473 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2009/05/26 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 10,062 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2008/05/28 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 20,496 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2007/08/10 | Smallmouth Bass | 210 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2007/07/25 | Tiger Muskie | 1,499 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2007/05/24 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 10,200 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2006/08/02 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 5,002 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2006/07/20 | Smallmouth Bass | 620 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2006/07/10 | Tiger Muskie | 503 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2006/05/17 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 20,180 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2005/08/02 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 5,216 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2005/05/16 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 19,998 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2004/08/24 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 5,115 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2004/07/28 | Smallmouth Bass | 526 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2004/06/24 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 10,013 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2003/07/10 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 10,030 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2003/06/23 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 10,011 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2003/06/02 | Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid | 20,291 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
2002/09/04 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 2,784 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2002/07/24 | Tiger Muskie | 196 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2002/06/27 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 9,900 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2002/06/01 | Smallmouth Bass | 743 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2002/05/13 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 20,594 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2001/08/09 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 3,000 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2001/06/15 | Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid | 9,440 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2001/06/02 | Smallmouth Bass | 517 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2000/06/03 | Smallmouth Bass | 472 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
2000/05/26 | Troutlodge | 9,894 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1999/06/29 | Domestic Kamloops | 10,540 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1999/06/16 | Tiger Muskie | 200 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1999/05/15 | Smallmouth Bass | 120 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1998/06/23 | Tiger Muskie | 264 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1998/06/15 | Domestic Kamloops | 10,000 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1998/05/16 | Smallmouth Bass | 165 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1998/05/14 | Tiger Muskie | 53 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1997/07/01 | Domestic Kamloops | 9,860 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1996/10/15 | Domestic Kamloops | 10,095 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1996/07/11 | Splake | 1,600 | Adults |
1996/05/16 | Domestic Kamloops | 10,000 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1995/05/09 | Domestic Kamloops | 10,000 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1994/05/12 | Domestic Kamloops | 10,040 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1993/06/15 | Wild Kamloops | 10,000 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1992/06/02 | Pennask Rainbow | 10,000 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1992/04/29 | Domestic Kamloops | 10,080 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1992/04/29 | Domestic Kamloops | 10,375 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1991/07/02 | Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid | 10,080 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1991/06/10 | Pennask Rainbow | 11,360 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1991/05/11 | Smallmouth Bass | 461 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1990/07/21 | Gammarus | 5 | Unknown Size |
1990/06/26 | Pennask Rainbow | 9,127 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1990/05/10 | Domestic Kamloops | 5,000 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1989/10/18 | Rainbow X Cutthroat - Diploid | 10,000 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1989/05/22 | Rainbow Unspecified | 13,800 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1988/10/13 | Smallmouth Bass | 200 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1988/06/07 | Pennask Rainbow | 10,125 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1988/05/23 | Domestic Kamloops | 10,086 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1986/06/16 | Mt Lassen Rainbow | 10,200 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1985/08/07 | Rainbow Unspecified | 5,000 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1985/07/25 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,473 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1985/05/23 | Rainbow Unspecified | 7,480 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1984/08/17 | Bear Lake Bonneville Cutthroat | 2,990 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1984/06/12 | Wild Kamloops | 10,580 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1984/05/24 | Rainbow Unspecified | 8,700 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1983/09/29 | Chinook Fall | 10,012 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1983/08/03 | Rainbow Unspecified | 2,240 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1983/07/07 | Rainbow Unspecified | 3,120 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1983/05/25 | Rainbow Unspecified | 9,641 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1982/08/02 | Rainbow Unspecified | 9,180 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1982/07/21 | Chinook Fall | 10,200 | Fingerling (3-6 inches) |
1982/07/21 | Rainbow Unspecified | 3,760 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1982/05/25 | Rainbow Unspecified | 3,600 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1981/08/31 | Rainbow Unspecified | 2,890 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1981/05/20 | Rainbow Unspecified | 9,000 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1981/05/11 | Rainbow Unspecified | 8,100 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1980/05/23 | Rainbow Unspecified | 20,475 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1979/06/05 | Rainbow Unspecified | 5,280 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1979/06/01 | Rainbow Unspecified | 5,040 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1979/05/31 | Rainbow Unspecified | 9,600 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1979/05/24 | Rainbow Unspecified | 5,520 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1978/09/19 | Cutthroat | 8,550 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1978/09/19 | Rainbow Unspecified | 3,000 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1978/05/31 | Rainbow Unspecified | 8,400 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1978/05/18 | Rainbow Unspecified | 6,960 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1977/08/23 | Rainbow Unspecified | 49,920 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1977/06/21 | Rainbow Unspecified | 7,820 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1977/06/20 | Rainbow Unspecified | 4,830 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1977/05/24 | Rainbow Unspecified | 810 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1977/05/10 | Rainbow Unspecified | 800 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1977/05/03 | Rainbow Unspecified | 800 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1976/07/09 | Rainbow Unspecified | 6,510 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1976/06/10 | Rainbow Unspecified | 8,400 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1976/05/26 | Kokanee - October Spawner | 87,500 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1976/05/24 | Rainbow Unspecified | 5,040 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1975/09/11 | Rainbow Unspecified | 875 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1975/06/26 | Rainbow Unspecified | 5,040 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1975/06/23 | Rainbow Unspecified | 4,560 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1975/06/10 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,380 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1975/05/28 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,200 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1975/04/26 | Kokanee - October Spawner | 82,800 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1974/09/26 | Cutthroat | 48,000 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1974/09/26 | Rainbow Unspecified | 29,700 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1974/07/22 | Rainbow Unspecified | 4,500 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1974/06/04 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,160 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1974/06/03 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,800 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1973/09/14 | Cutthroat | 20,608 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1973/06/22 | Rainbow Unspecified | 7,560 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1973/06/12 | Rainbow Unspecified | 7,740 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1973/05/11 | Rainbow Unspecified | 50,400 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1973/05/04 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,620 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1972/08/29 | Rainbow Unspecified | 74,250 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1972/07/20 | Rainbow Unspecified | 2,100 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1972/06/19 | Rainbow Unspecified | 6,720 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1972/06/05 | Rainbow Unspecified | 412 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1972/06/02 | Rainbow Unspecified | 900 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1972/05/19 | Rainbow Unspecified | 120 | Adults |
1972/05/17 | Kokanee - October Spawner | 84,000 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1972/05/17 | Rainbow Unspecified | 720 | Adults |
1972/05/17 | Rainbow Unspecified | 4,899 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1972/05/16 | Kokanee - October Spawner | 119,880 | Fry (0-3 inches) |
1971/06/14 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,110 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1970/08/14 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,050 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1970/07/10 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,080 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1970/05/25 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,200 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1969/07/11 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,920 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1969/05/27 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,260 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
1968/06/08 | Rainbow Unspecified | 1,920 | Catchable (6+ inches) |
Licenses and Tags
- Online
- By phone & credit card:
1-800-554-8685 - License Vendors
- IDFG Offices
Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
Fishing Rules, 2022 - 2024
All Waters Open All Year
Except as modified in Special Rules
Fishing is not allowed within the posted upstream and downstream boundary of any fish weir or trap.
Daily Bag Limits
The following daily bag limits apply to all waters within each region except as modified in the Special Rules. The possession limit is 3-times the daily bag limit after the second day of the season.
Special Rules
Little Payette Lake- Bass limit is 2, none under 20 inches
- Kokanee limit is 25