Payette Lake

Prior to the arrival of Euro-American hunters in the 1830s, the area had been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. The discovery of gold in 1862 in the upper drainage of Payette Lake prompted an influx of miners to the area. The townsite of McCall was established on the lake's southern shore in the 1880s. The area became more accessible in 1914 when a railroad and roads were extended to McCall, which was becoming a tourist destination for summer and winter recreation. In 1920, the Idaho State Land Board began leasing vacation homesites around Payette Lake. Increasing recreational demands led to the establishment of Brundage Mountain Ski Area and Ponderosa State Park, both near McCall, in the 1960s. == Activities ==

The Lake is a popular fishing destination for fly fishing, shore fishing, and boat fishing. There are three species of trout in the lake: rainbow, cutthroat and lake trout. Additional species include Kokanee, tiger muskie, walleye, crappie, and smallmouth bass. Trophy-sized fish are frequently caught here. In addition to fishing, lake activities include swimming, sailing, water skiing, wake surfing, wake boarding, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. There are several public launch sites around the lake and marina slips, as well as options for renting equipment on the lake and in the town of McCall. There is a fuel dock at the Mile High Marina. ==In popular culture==

In Idaho folklore, a sea serpent much like the Loch Ness Monster is said to live in the deep waters of Payette Lake and in 1954, the creature was given the name Sharlie. ==References==