Payson Area Rim Lakes 
Lets Go Fishing!
(All are within a 20 minute drive time from Payson)
Bear Canyon Lake Coordinates: Latitude: 32.37417
Longitude: -110.69111 The lake is located about 44 miles northeast of Payson and 25 miles west of Heber-Overgaard in the Mogollon Rim country. It is one of Arizona's most scenic lakes. The lake is narrow, canyon-bound lake with a thick forest that extends right to its shoreline. It has two access points that requires parking and then a short hike to the shore. The water surface is about 50 acres with a maximum depth of abut 50 ft. The lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout six times annually. Live bait is not permitted. Catch trophy size Rainbow Trout & German Brown. This peaceful lake is located 14 miles northwest of AZ Highway 260. Electric motors only. Boat ramp.
Elevation: 7,600 ft.
Season: Open year round as access permits.  | ......................... |  |
Black Canyon Lake Coordinates: Latitude: 34.32778 Longitude: -110.7 Black Canyon Lake is another in a series of lakes the Arizona Game and Fish Dept. built in the 1960's along the Mogollon Rim to provide water recreation opportunities for the public. Situated at 7,000 ft. the lake is located 15 miles southwest of Heber on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Access is restricted in the winter when roads are closed due to snow. Fly fishing from a boat or float tube is a good way to catch large numbers of fish on this lake. Statewide fishing regulations apply and a trout stamp is required. The daily bag limit is six trout, six bass and unlimited sunfish. Boat motors are restricted to electric motors only. Access roads are not cleared in winter Blue Ridge Reservoir Coordinates:
Latitude: 34.51111
Longitude: -110.8242
Size: 70 Acres (200 when full)
Type of Fish: Rainbows, & Brown Trout Blue Ridge Reservoir is a great place for canoeing and kayaking. There are not many lakes in Arizona where canoe camping exists. On this long snaking river a quiet, unpopulated, forested camping area at the water's edge can only be found by boat access. And with an 8 HP motor limit on the lake, very small fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks are pretty much all you'll find. Backpackers do have access to the lake by way of maintained hiking trails. The best time to visit is summer, of course, but occasionally the lake can be very low from the lack of snow runoff as a result of mild winters. Elevation: 6720 feet
Average Depth: 147 feet Chevelon Canyon Lake Coordinates:
Latitude: 34.51111
Longitude: -110.8242 Chevelon Canyon Lake is a rather isolated lake located along the Mogollon Plateau about 60 miles northeast of Payson. Its nearest access point requires about a 1 mile hike. You can fish the shoreline or fish by float tube. Boats are allowed but difficult to haul to the lake. There are no facilities at the lake, not even garbage receptacles. Size: 200 Acres – The largest and most difficult to access Type of Fish: Brown Trout. The biggest fish on the rim live here. Live bait fishing is prohibited. Directions: Highway 260 approximately 30 miles east of Payson to FR300. Follow FR 300 for about 10 miles to FR 169. Travel on FR 169 for 21 miles to FR 169B.
 Knoll Lake Latitude: 34.4275
Longitude: -111.09194
This secluded forest lake attracts visitors for a number of reasons. Surrounded by ponderosa pines, with a picturesque island in its middle, Knoll Lake provides a scenic setting in which to enjoy your canoe or other small boat. Fishing is good here too, offering rainbow, brown and brook trout. Size: 75 Acres Type of Fish: Stocked with Rainbows and Brown Trout Elevation: 7,400 Feet FACILITIES: 33 single unit campsites with tables, fire rings, and cooking grills, Drinking water and vault toilets at the campground, Boat ramp, Hiking trails nearby. Directions: From Flagstaff, Drive 55 miles south of Flagstaff to Clints Well on FH 3 (Lake Mary Road). Turn northeast on AZ 87 about 9 miles to FR 95 then drive 6 miles south to FR 96. Follow it 2 miles to FR 321 and drive 10 miles to FR 300. Turn east (left) 4 miles and then north (left again) 4 miles on FR 295E. FH 3 and AZ 87 are paved. FR 95 is closed and Knoll Lake is not accessible during the winter. Seasons: Memorial Day Weekend - Mid-September Willow Springs Lake Coordinates: Latitude: 34.31389 Longitude: -110.8756 At 7,500 ft. elevation, Willow Springs Lake is located along the Mogollon Rim off Hwy 260 about 30 miles east of Payson. It is near Woods Canyon Lake. It is stocked with rainbow trout and also contains brownies, brookies, cuthroats and largemouth bass. Use tends to be heavy. Parking, restrooms and access built for for physically challenged anglers. Campgrounds: Nearby. Motors must not exceed 8 HP. Size: 150 Acres Fish: Bass, Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout. Woods Canyon Coordinates: Latitude: 34.33944 Longitude: -110.9517 In Payson turn right onto State Route 260. Follow 260 to the top of the Rim. Just as the highway crests the ascent there will be a left turn onto FR 300, the Old Rim Road. Follow this road until the pavement ends. Turn right into the lake area. Size: 55 Acres Type of fish: Trout Campground: Yes, 5 of them! Elevation: 7510 ft. Single Electric motors only, please |