north-fork-payette
North Fork Payette River is a river in Idaho. It is a fork of Payette River.
It ranks #15 among the 28 waters of Idaho in the registry, and is of local prominence.
Also called the Payette River.
Fished for trout (inferred from the species listed).
Species: rainbow trout and mountain whitefish.
USGS GNIS record: 379444.
Stretches: Cabarton run.
Features: Railroad bridge above Banks and Smiths Ferry.
Banks River Access (confluence). It is fishable and launchable. Confluence with the South Fork at Banks (Flies Idaho). Shared with the South Fork Payette and Payette River records.
It is downstream of Cascade Lake.
McCall City Access (access). It is fishable. River Ranch (McCall lodge/guide) lists 'North Fork Payette River - McCall city access'. River Ranch itself has 2.5 miles of private river frontage. Also called North Fork Payette River - McCall city access.
It is upstream of Cascade Lake.
It is downstream of Payette Lake.
Big Eddy Campground (access). It is fishable. Forest Service campground; the author fishes the upper part just inside it. Single source.
Cascade Lake (feature). Flies Idaho: the North Fork 'balloons after passing through Cascade Lake'; flow from its dam is reduced in fall.
It is upstream of Banks River Access.
It is downstream of McCall City Access.
Payette Lake (feature). Headwater lake at McCall; Flies Idaho: the North Fork emerges from it.
It is upstream of McCall City Access.
Upper Payette Lake Access (access). It is fishable. River Ranch's listed access name. Also called North Fork Payette River - Upper Payette Lake access.
Sourced from 2 independent fly sites.
Sources: bluestreamfly.com (retrieved 2026-10-20), fliesidaho.com (retrieved 2026-10-20), my.identafly.app (retrieved 2026-10-20), nwschoolofflyfishing.com (retrieved 2026-10-20), nwschoolofflyfishing.com (2) (retrieved 2026-10-20), nwschoolofflyfishing.com (3) (retrieved 2026-10-20), riverranchmccall.com and visitmccall.org (retrieved 2026-10-20).
Hatches
Hatch names known, timing not yet researched.
Access, closures and rules change; check with the state agency before you go.