Without a doubt, uncrowded fishing is one of the best things about living beside the longest protected stretch of the Payette River in McCall–just beyond your front door, anytime you want to enjoy it.
In addition to the five miles of main channel bordering Blackhawk, the real estate encompasses another 13 miles of braided side channels that, in many places, take on the character of small spring creeks. Here on your home waters, you’ll find good fishing for acrobatic rainbow trout, wild brook trout and a seasonal run of Kokanee from Lake Cascade.
Equally rewarding fishing for trout, salmon, steelhead, perch and smallmouth bass can be found in rivers, reservoirs and alpine lakes throughout the McCall area. Here’s a partial list:
The Salmon River System
In the many famous forks of the Salmon River, you’ll enjoy excellent fishing for beautiful west slope cutthroat trout, as well as Chinook salmon (summer) and steelhead (spring and fall). Voracious smallmouth bass are another prolific gamefish prevalent in the main Salmon, below the town of Riggins, about 45 minutes from McCall. Popular forks of the Salmon include the South Fork, East Fork of the South Fork, Middle Fork, as well as important tributaries like the Little Salmon, and Big Creek in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness area.
Hells Canyon of the Snake River
Northwest of McCall lies the deepest river gorge in North America (deeper than even the Grand Canyon of the Colorado). Hells Canyon offers fishing for salmon, steelhead, smallmouth bass, as well as catch & release fishing for enormous white sturgeon, up to 10 feet or more in length.
Payette Lake and Lake Cascade
At 5,300 acres, Payette Lake boasts three species of trout: rainbow, cutthroat and lake trout, as well as Kokanee. Just south of Blackhawk, about five miles downstream lies Lake Cascade, a 28,000-acre reservoir with a diverse fishery, including rainbow trout, Kokanee, Coho salmon, crappie and yellow perch.
Alpine Lakes
While many of the 300 alpine lakes surrounding McCall require a hike, most will find it well worth the effort. Grab your float tube and go prospecting for will rainbows and cutthroats in some of the most breathtaking mountain settings in the Pacific Northwest. For more information on rules and regulations for this region, just contact Idaho Fish and Game’s McCall Information office at (208) 634-8137.
Toss Your Line In the Water
Contact us today and learn more about the uncrowded fishing, beautiful lakes and rivers, and unique real estate that Blackhawk on the River and the McCall, Idaho area have to offer.