Blue Ridge Reservoir is in my opinion the most picturesque lake in Northern Arizona.  Many of the lakes in Northern AZ are small, and while fishable, not the most attractive.  Lake Mary is popular upon the ‘walk in’s’ who climb down the hill to cast their lines.

Knoll Lake, Bear Lake, Kinnickinick, Ashurst, Woods Canyon are all part of the Northern AZ lake options.  But my heart belongs to Blue Ridge.  It’s windy green waters traverse through thickly forested high canyon walls.  

 Tall dense trees reflect on the waterways like a mirror.  Wildlife abounds.  On this particular trip we saw bald eagle, a blue heron fishing for dinner (www.kritterspix.com), and wood ducks and their little ones.

It’s a peaceful respite commonly enjoyed by an abundance of rude camp canoe organizations and kayakers.  The Forest Service is now syphoning off water to Payson, compromising our tax payer recreational resource.  The water continues to drop at a rapid pace.  Yet, with it’s many flaws, and frustrating politics, it is a beautiful lake that should be enjoyed and shared by all, as long as we are ‘allowed’ by the US Forest Service to do so.