Payne Reservoir is a reservoir in Oregon, near Malheur County.
Payne Reservoir is a reservoir in Malheur County, Oregon.
Without a dependable size figure for Payne Reservoir, weeds, rock, water color, and nearby depth are the best starting clues.
Fish listed for Payne Reservoir include Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Redside Shiner, and Rainbow Trout.
During a return to the best bank near the first break after warm rain, use a small jig, worm, or tiny plastic around green weeds and protected pockets for bluegill.
During a steady fall day near the edge of deeper water before changing areas, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover for largemouth bass.
During a warm summer afternoon near a shallow shelf with a moving bait, use a worm on the bottom in a warm, quiet pocket during low light for brown bullhead.
During the start of a weather change near the mouth of a pocket before changing areas, cast a small spoon, inline spinner, light jig, or fly through cool water for rainbow trout.
During a short evening pass near a channel bend after warm rain, do not let the deepest number control the whole day; nearby cover, firm bottom, and food usually matter more than the deepest hole by itself.
During a steady fall day near a firm-bottom flat where two features meet, spring runoff can add color and pull fish toward fresh water; green weeds and the first drop become stronger summer targets; in fall, follow bait toward points and shallow flats, while winter rewards a slower search.
During the final pass near a channel bend away from empty shoreline, a light spinning rod, thin line, a few small spoons, inline spinners, and jigs cover the listed trout; carry one slightly heavier setup when other fish or windy water call for more control.
During a warm summer afternoon near a shallow shelf near firm bottom, record the wind, water color, depth of the best pass, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.