Willow Springs Lake is a cold water lake located on top of the Mogollon Rim in northern Arizona, about 23mi east of the city of Payson in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, immediately adjacent to SR 260. It is a canyon-bound lake located on the Mogollon Rim, and is part of the collectivity known as the Rim Lakes. It can be found upstream from Chevelon Canyon Lake. The facilities are maintained by Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest division of the USDA Forest Service.DescriptionIn 1967, The Arizona Game and Fish Department created Willow Springs Lake in order to provide water based recreational opportunities for the public. Willow Springs Lake is small and moderately deep with an average depth of 60ft and a surface area of 158acre. Boat motors are restricted to electric or 10 hp or less gas motors. From May through September the lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Self-sustaining largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and green sunfish can also be found in the lake. Ice fishing is a popular sport on the lake for anglers during the winter months. According to the AZ Game and Fish Department, "Willow Springs Lake is one of the most visited lakes in the region, due in part to its proximity to the Phoenix area and cool temperatures".
