The 5,330-acre lake, around which the resort town of McCall, Idaho, was built, is 392 feet at its deepest recorded depth. And within those murky depths lives a beast called Sharlie . Or so some say.

One local angler recently pulled a new state record from the depths of Payette Lake. Dylan Smithsays he has already landed more than two dozen, including several fish over three feet long.

Of note, Little Payette Lake in McCall recently received 600 adult smallmouth bass, ... We will cover all kinds of in-depth tactics and strategies for catching catfish in Idaho waters.

Idaho Fish and Game has worked for years to balance the kokanee salmon and Mackinaw trout populations. Fishing columnist Jordan Rodriguez said it’s paying off.

I enjoyed making two new friends, catching a delicious dinner, and experiencing Payette Lake’s encouraging kokanee comeback firsthand. Let’s hope it’s here to stay. Tight lines!