RIM LAKES: The runoff season is underway. With the warmer weather, ice is starting to diminish on the lakes. All ice should be considered unstable. Snow is still creating an access issue at most Rim lakes. The gates on Interior roads are still closed. Access is by snowmobile only, but in some places, snow is patchy even though there are still lots of huge drifts. Contact the US Forest Service’s Black Mesa Ranger District office at (928) 535-7300 for up-to-date information about forest and road conditions.

CHEVELON LAKE — Fishing is good. Anglers are catching trout on lures. The lake is ice-free. The lake is full and spilling.  Forest roads (Rim Road especially) from the south are still closed. Forest road 169 north is open to Forest road 169B and Forest road 169B is also open. You can access via the FS 504 road from Heber. The lake is open to electric trolling motors and /or up to 10 hp. gas motors.

This is hike-in, steep sided canyon lake with limited shoreline access that is best fished from a float tube or other floating device.

BEAR CANYON LAKE — Forest Roads 300 and 89 to the lake are closed due to snow drifts.

BLACK CANYON LAKE — The lake is ice-free. Forest Road 86 is open to the lake. Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as Z-Rays, Super Dupers, and spinners (Mepps, Rooster tail, and Panther Martin), and flies such as woolly worms, woolly buggers, Peacock ladies, and small nymphs. The lake is open to electric trolling motors only and/or up to 10 hp. gas motors.

BLUE RIDGE – Road is open. Full and overflowing. It may be possible to catch some nice holdovers here, but the lake is not very shore-angler friendly. This lake is best fished from a small boat, kayak, canoe or float tube.

KNOLL LAKE – Still not accessible. There are still large drifts over the Forest Service 300 Road (aka Rim Road).

WILLOW SPRINGS LAKE — This is a trout fishing hot spot. Fishing is good for larger hold-over trout. The gate and FS Road 149 are open. The lake is ice-free. The boat launch is accessible (no word on the dock). Try worms, Power Bait, lures such as Z-Rays, spinners (Mepps, Rooster tail, and Panther Martin), and flies such as wooly worms, wooly buggers, and peacock ladies.

WOODS CANYON LAKE — The lake is ice-covered. Check ice thickness before venturing out on the lake.  The lake is inaccessible.  Forest Road 300 is full of snow drifts and still closed. The store is still closed for winter.