Little Payette Lake

Flows into the Lake Fork

  • Recommended Fishing Water

Little Payette Lake in Valley County is 1,439.5 acres.

Interactive Map
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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.

Facilities

Motor Restriction
No
Boat Ramp
Yes
Dock
Yes
Toilet
Yes
Campground
Yes
ADA Access
Yes

Recommended Game Fish

Species Observed in Surveys

Fish Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity General Size
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 500 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)
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

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
Southwest Region Bag Limits
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • Bass limit is 6, both species combined
  • None under 12 inches

Brook Trout

  • Brook Trout limit is 25
  • Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they must be followed when fishing for Brook Trout

Bull Trout

  • Bull Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 6

Salmon

  • Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits are set by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and issued in separate brochures
  • Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon can be found here
  • Sockeye Salmon limit is 0 and fishing for or targeting Sockeye Salmon is illegal
  • Fishing for or targeting salmon is prohibited unless a salmon season is specifically opened for that water 

Steelhead (ocean-going)

  • Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than twenty (20) inches in length in the Salmon River drainage (excluding lakes and reservoirs). Between Hells Canyon Dam and Oxbow Dam and the Boise River from its mouth upstream to Barber Dam during steelhead seasons, steelhead are Rainbow Trout over twenty (20) inches in length with the adipose fin clipped (as evidenced by a healed scar)
  • Fishing for or targeting steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water. See fishing regulations for details

Sturgeon

  • Sturgeon limit is 0, catch-and-release
  • Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
  • Barbless hooks are required
  • Use of a sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device is required. See fishing regulations for details

Tiger Muskie

  • Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches

Trout includes Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Golden Trout, Arctic Grayling, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, land-locked Chinook and Coho Salmon, trout hybrids (e.g. Tiger Trout)

  • Trout limit is 6, all species combined
  • Does not include Bull Trout and Brook Trout which are listed separately

Whitefish

  • Whitefish limit is 25
  • Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they must be followed when fishing for whitefish

Protected Nongame Fish includes Pacific Lamprey

  • May not be harvested or possessed

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

  • No bag, size or possession limit
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