Payette River

Tributary of the Snake River

  • Recommended Fishing Water

Payette River in Boise, Gem and Payette Counties is 75.0 miles in length.

Interactive Map
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This is section of the Payette River supports a tremendously diverse fishery. Anglers have many access points for beginning trips. Floating and fishing from small crafts is popular.

Facilities

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

Recommended Game Fish

Species Observed in Surveys

Fish Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity General Size
2024/10/30 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 276 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/05/15 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,106 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2018/10/05 Smallmouth Bass 150 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/10/03 Smallmouth Bass 350 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/09/27 Smallmouth Bass 250 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/08/22 Smallmouth Bass 500 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/11/06 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 493 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/10/09 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 514 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/04/16 Rainbow Trout 508 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/03/18 Rainbow Trout 548 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/11/26 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 500 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/10/07 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 500 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/03/23 Rainbow Trout 499 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/11/14 Rainbow Trout 77 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/11/12 Rainbow Trout 508 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/08/13 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 805 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/06/18 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,480 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/06/26 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,700 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/11/13 Steelhead 50 Adults
2002/11/05 Steelhead 50 Adults
2000/12/05 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 750 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/11/17 Steelhead 50 Adults
2000/11/02 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 500 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/10/26 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 750 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/09/21 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 810 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/05/19 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,575 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/03/29 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 930 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/03/07 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 600 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/01/19 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/12/07 Rainbow Trout 750 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/11/24 Rainbow Trout 600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/11/10 Rainbow Trout 800 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/10/26 Rainbow Trout 1,050 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/10/13 Rainbow Trout 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/02/09 Rainbow Trout 500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/01/19 Rainbow Trout 520 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/12/14 Rainbow Trout 625 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/11/16 Rainbow Trout 750 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/10/20 Rainbow Trout 1,890 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/10/07 Rainbow Trout 1,085 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/04/13 Brown Trout 9,840 Fry (0-3 inches)
1998/03/24 Rainbow Trout 500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/03/05 Rainbow Trout 675 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/02/03 Rainbow Trout 475 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/12/23 Rainbow Trout 1,040 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/12/08 Rainbow Trout 1,170 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/11/12 Rainbow Trout 980 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/10/07 Rainbow Trout 1,050 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/09/22 Rainbow Trout 1,400 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/07/25 Chinook Salmon 30 Adults
1997/07/24 Chinook Salmon 30 Adults
1997/06/26 Rainbow Trout 9,140 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1997/06/17 Brown Trout 19,400 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1997/06/16 Brown Trout 22,504 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1996/11/24 Steelhead 50 Adults
1996/11/04 Rainbow Trout 940 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/10/03 Rainbow Trout 1,470 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/09/13 Rainbow Trout 1,470 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/08/13 Rainbow Trout 19,575 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1996/08/12 Rainbow Trout 10,440 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1996/07/26 Rainbow Trout 1,960 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/07/22 Brown Trout 24,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1995/11/07 Steelhead 50 Adults
1995/11/01 Rainbow Trout 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1995/10/10 Rainbow Trout 1,430 Catchable (6+ inches)
1995/09/19 Rainbow Trout 1,840 Catchable (6+ inches)
1995/09/06 Rainbow Trout 600 Adults
1995/04/19 Brown Trout 14,177 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1995/04/18 Brown Trout 25,024 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1995/04/05 Rainbow Trout 1,020 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/10/17 Rainbow Trout 190 Adults
1994/10/12 Rainbow Trout 200 Adults
1994/10/12 Rainbow Trout 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/09/19 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/08/25 Rainbow Trout 1,980 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/04/22 Rainbow Trout 990 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/04/20 Brown Trout 8,360 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1994/03/10 Steelhead 100 Adults
1994/01/12 Rainbow Trout 484 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/10/07 Rainbow Trout 60 Adults
1993/10/06 Rainbow Trout 2,013 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/09/22 Rainbow Trout 2,013 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/07/09 Brown Trout 34,968 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1993/03/08 Steelhead 100 Adults
1992/10/08 Rainbow Trout 1,045 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/09/21 Rainbow Trout 3,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/05/18 Brown Trout 9,020 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1991/11/20 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/09/24 Rainbow Trout 2,002 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/06/03 Brown Trout 9,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1990/11/13 Rainbow Trout 1,050 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/10/24 Rainbow Trout 1,040 Adults
1989/10/30 Steelhead 100 Adults
1989/10/29 Steelhead 50 Adults
1989/07/19 Rainbow Trout 914 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/04/11 Brown Trout 10,115 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1988/12/30 Steelhead 76 Adults
1988/09/02 Rainbow Trout 80 Adults
1988/09/02 Rainbow Trout 386 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/08/25 Rainbow Trout 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
1988/08/25 Westslope Cutthroat Trout 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
1988/07/14 Rainbow Trout 1,012 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/06/28 Rainbow Trout 2,300 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/06/14 Rainbow Trout 1,040 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/05/09 Rainbow Trout 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/03/15 Rainbow Trout 3,150 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/03/04 Rainbow Trout 700 Adults
1987/10/22 Rainbow Trout 2,310 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/09/16 Rainbow Trout 1,155 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/08/26 Rainbow Trout 1,485 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/08/11 Rainbow Trout 1,480 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/07/22 Rainbow Trout 1,170 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/07/14 Rainbow Trout 1,595 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/07/07 Rainbow Trout 1,160 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/07/02 Rainbow Trout 1,925 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/06/16 Rainbow Trout 2,030 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/06/04 Rainbow Trout 1,250 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/05/15 Rainbow Trout 1,020 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/10/08 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/09/16 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/08/20 Rainbow Trout 999 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/08/08 Rainbow Trout 2,279 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/07/16 Brown Trout 25,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/07/16 Brown Trout 25,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1986/07/02 Rainbow Trout 990 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/07/01 Rainbow Trout 990 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/06/24 Rainbow Trout 1,300 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/05/23 Rainbow Trout 3,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/02/05 Rainbow Trout 2,430 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/10/30 Rainbow Trout 1,850 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/09/26 Rainbow Trout 525 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/09/24 Rainbow Trout 1,575 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/08/29 Rainbow Trout 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/08/27 Rainbow Trout 875 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/07/23 Rainbow Trout 3,060 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/07/02 Rainbow Trout 3,150 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/06/27 Rainbow Trout 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/06/10 Brown Trout 25,080 Fry (0-3 inches)
1985/05/17 Rainbow Trout 1,020 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/05/09 Brown Trout 24,976 Fry (0-3 inches)
1985/04/11 Rainbow Trout 3,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/10/22 Rainbow Trout 4,960 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/08/08 Rainbow Trout 6,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/08/06 Rainbow Trout 6,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/07/24 Brown Trout 15,295 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/07/27 Rainbow Trout 5,120 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/07/26 Rainbow Trout 5,320 Catchable (6+ inches)
1983/07/25 Rainbow Trout 795 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/07/09 Brown Trout 29,700 Fry (0-3 inches)
1983/03/11 Steelhead 196 Adults
1982/09/08 Rainbow Trout 3,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/08/25 Rainbow Trout 5,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/08/13 Rainbow Trout 5,670 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/08/09 Rainbow Trout 990 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/08/06 Rainbow Trout 4,030 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/07/16 Rainbow Trout 3,840 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/06/21 Brown Trout 30,400 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1981/09/10 Rainbow Trout 1,250 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/09/09 Rainbow Trout 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/08/09 Rainbow Trout 3,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/07/21 Rainbow Trout 1,440 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/07/14 Rainbow Trout 640 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/07/09 Brown Trout 30,268 Fry (0-3 inches)
1981/06/18 Rainbow Trout 3,700 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/08/15 Rainbow Trout 2,982 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/07/30 Rainbow Trout 3,960 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/07/18 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/07/14 Brown Trout 5,265 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1980/06/24 Rainbow Trout 3,458 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/04/16 Brown Trout 11,430 Fry (0-3 inches)
1980/04/14 Rainbow Trout 820 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/04/08 Brown Trout 26,465 Fry (0-3 inches)
1980/03/27 Brown Trout 23,758 Fry (0-3 inches)
1979/09/20 Rainbow Trout 9,860 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/09/10 Rainbow Trout 2,960 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/08/13 Rainbow Trout 2,070 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/08/08 Rainbow Trout 4,715 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/07/10 Rainbow Trout 1,680 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/06/18 Rainbow Trout 2,626 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/04/02 Brown Trout 15,104 Fry (0-3 inches)
1979/03/29 Brown Trout 10,019 Fry (0-3 inches)
1979/03/23 Rainbow Trout 1,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/03/21 Rainbow Trout 1,520 Catchable (6+ inches)
1978/08/24 Rainbow Trout 3,782 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1978/07/31 Rainbow Trout 2,250 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1978/06/06 Brown Trout 3,388 Fry (0-3 inches)
1978/05/19 Brown Trout 7,139 Fry (0-3 inches)
1978/04/14 Brown Trout 12,469 Fry (0-3 inches)
1978/03/28 Brown Trout 18,407 Fry (0-3 inches)
1977/11/21 Rainbow Trout 5,125 Catchable (6+ inches)
1977/11/14 Rainbow Trout 7,505 Catchable (6+ inches)
1977/07/29 Rainbow Trout 2,288 Catchable (6+ inches)
1977/06/14 Rainbow Trout 1,530 Catchable (6+ inches)
1977/03/24 Brown Trout 44,264 Fry (0-3 inches)
1977/03/14 Brown Trout 40,189 Fry (0-3 inches)
1976/12/08 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/09/29 Rainbow Trout 3,800 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/08/19 Rainbow Trout 4,510 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1976/08/10 Rainbow Trout 2,074 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/07/22 Brown Trout 20,382 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1976/07/09 Rainbow Trout 2,035 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/03/30 Brown Trout 46,550 Fry (0-3 inches)
1975/10/10 Rainbow Trout 5,250 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/09/29 Rainbow Trout 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/09/25 Rainbow Trout 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/09/12 Rainbow Trout 2,520 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/08/04 Rainbow Trout 2,050 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/04/04 Brown Trout 31,440 Fry (0-3 inches)
1975/03/18 Brown Trout 23,400 Fry (0-3 inches)
1975/02/28 Rainbow Trout 5,220 Catchable (6+ inches)
1974/10/27 Rainbow Trout 2,520 Catchable (6+ inches)
1974/10/24 Rainbow Trout 7,770 Catchable (6+ inches)
1974/09/27 Rainbow Trout 9,450 Catchable (6+ inches)
1974/08/27 Rainbow Trout 1,820 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1974/04/08 Brown Trout 26,975 Fry (0-3 inches)
1973/12/06 Rainbow Trout 8,820 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/08/13 Rainbow Trout 2,700 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/07/10 Rainbow Trout 2,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/06/22 Brown Trout 12,554 Fry (0-3 inches)
1973/01/02 Rainbow Trout 3,120 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/11/14 Rainbow Trout 5,760 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/10/05 Rainbow Trout 5,880 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/09/28 Rainbow Trout 4,320 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/09/21 Rainbow Trout 2,818 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/09/08 Rainbow Trout 1,898 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/08/28 Brown Trout 4,212 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1972/07/20 Rainbow Trout 1,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/10/21 Rainbow Trout 5,880 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/10/14 Rainbow Trout 5,670 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/08/19 Rainbow Trout 3,330 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/12/23 Rainbow Trout 5,940 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/10/28 Rainbow Trout 7,770 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/10/20 Rainbow Trout 2,580 Adults
1970/09/23 Rainbow Trout 1,760 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/09/22 Rainbow Trout 2,640 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/07/21 Rainbow Trout 2,880 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/12/11 Rainbow Trout 7,140 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/11/25 Rainbow Trout 7,140 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/10/09 Rainbow Trout 4,960 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/10/08 Rainbow Trout 5,250 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/11/13 Rainbow Trout 3,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/11/08 Rainbow Trout 12,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/11/07 Rainbow Trout 1,690 Adults
1968/10/17 Rainbow Trout 3,300 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/10/10 Rainbow Trout 3,300 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/08/26 Rainbow Trout 1,755 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/07/26 Rainbow Trout 12,240 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1968/06/28 Rainbow Trout 860 Catchable (6+ inches)
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

Be aware of Fish Consumption Advisories associated with this waterbody. More information can be found here.

Fishing Rules, 2025 - 2027

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.

Special Rules

No Special Rules for Payette River.
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 apply when fishing for Brook Trout

Bull Trout

  • Bull Trout - catch-and-release

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 6

Salmon (ocean-run)

  • 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 fishing is illegal. Defined as ocean-run Oncorhynchus nerka longer than 14 inches in the Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, the Salmon River drainage (excluding above Mosquito Flat Dam)
  • Fishing for salmon is prohibited unless a salmon season is specifically opened for that water

Steelhead (ocean-run)

  • Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches 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 20 inches with the adipose fin clipped (as evidenced by a healed scar)
  • Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water. See fishing regulations for details

Sturgeon

  • Sturgeon - catch-and-release
  • Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
  • Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device are 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
  • Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limit
  • Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately

Walleye (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)

  • No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged

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 apply 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, length, or possession limits
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