Idaho Fishing Reports ยท Southwest Region
From Lowman down to Garden Valley, the South Fork Payette runs along the Banks-Lowman Road, with rainbows, cutthroat and whitefish.
Looking for the latest South Fork Payette River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the South Fork Payette River.
Current flows
Wind forecast
South Fork Payette River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Flows are low and cold.
Nymphs in the deeper runs on warm afternoons.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Lowman to Garden Valley, bring: Stimulator #10-14, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, Pat', s Rubber Legs #8-10, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16, Rainbow Warrior #16-20.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
South Fork Payette River details
| Access | Banks-Lowman Road and State Highway 21 follow the river. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 3,000 to 3,800 ft |
| Nearest town | Lowman, Idaho |
| Best season | Summer and fall |
| Fish | Rainbow, cutthroat and bull trout, whitefish |
| Regulations | Check the Idaho Department of Fish and Game seasons and rules before you go. An Idaho fishing license is required for anglers 14 and older, plus a steelhead or salmon permit where those fish are targeted. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X |
| Camping | Forest Service campgrounds along the river |
| Kids | Partly. |
| Good to know | Popular whitewater river in summer. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Quiet.
Spring
Runoff.
Summer
Dries and stoneflies.
Fall
Low water.
How to get there
From Boise, take State Highway 55 to Banks and the Banks-Lowman Road east.