Located barely more than an hour's drive from San Antonio, Choke Canyon Reservoir is among Texas' best big bass lakes
and perhaps the biggest bass fishing secret in the country. Since it is
surrounded by state park land, Choke Canyon is devoid of any shoreside
development. This lack of development has certainly aided in Choke's
relative anonymity. It has also prevented the lake from playing host to
nationally televised bass tournaments - which are often responsible for
spreading the word about hot bass lakes. So, despite producing an
incredible amount of 5 to 10 pound bass in recent years, Choke Canyon
sees relatively little fishing pressure.
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However, don't let the
lack of "buzz" fool you. Over the years, 26,000-acre Choke Canyon
Reservoir has produced plenty of notable bass catches. Numerous small
circuit tournament records have been set there. The current lake record
largemouth stands at an impressive 14.66 pounds. However, the lake has
managed to stay relatively obscure on the national scene.
Again, much of Choke Canyon's anonymity has to do with its location.
Situated approximately 75 miles from San Antonio, Choke Canyon is
largely 'in the middle of nowhere.' The tiny towns of Three Rivers and
George West are the only close by 'population centers.' But, for
fishermen in search of a career best bass, the drive to 'nowhere' is
well worth it.
The other major reason for Choke's lack of
notoriety - the fact it is surrounded by public land - is also a major
bonus to anglers. Texas Parks & Wildlife maintains Choke Canyon State Park as two separate 'units' - the Calliham Unit lies in McMullen County, while the South Shore Unit is in Live Oak County.
At
1,100 acres, the Calliham Unit is the large of the two. The Calliham
Unit is fitted with screened shelters and a variety of campsites for
those wanting to stay on the lake itself. It also has 2 miles of hiking
trails, a mile-long birding trail, a wildlife educational center, four
boat ramps and a man-made 75-acre lake. In short, the Calliham Unit
offers everything needed for an all-around outdoor experience.
Though
the South Shore Unit contains only 385 acres, it is still an excellent
shoreside spot for a variety of activities. This unit is a 'day-use'
only facility, meaning no overnight camping is allowed. However, there
are plenty of spots within the park that allow for picnicking, birding,
hiking and wildlife viewing. The South Shore Unit also houses a 6-lane
boat ramp.
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Although Choke flourished upon its opening, during the
decade long drought that spanned the turn of the century, fishing
declined. When that drought broke in 2004, fishing rapidly rebounded.
Over the past five years, Choke has spit out numerous double-digit bass.
Fishermen
headed to Choke Canyon can expect to find fish via one of two methods.
Through the mild weather months, expect fish to hit surface plugs -
notably poppers, buzzbaits and frogs - around hydrilla beds. During the
extreme temperature months, look for fish to be hanging around deep
structure. This means the outside edges of grass beds during summer and
standing timber or old tank dams during winter. When fish are deep, a
Texas rigged lizards, deep diving crankbait or punch jig is the best
bet.
Though the immediate area around Choke Canyon is sparsely
populated, there are still a number of dining and lodging options
available to visitors.
Among the most popular eateries are Nolan
Ryan's Waterfront Steakhouse and Grill, which is out near the lake, as
well as the Ranch House and the Staghorn Inn, both of which are located
in the town of Three Rivers. Among the newest accommodations in the area
is the Choke Canyon Lodge
(361-786-3999), which is near the lake, just a short drive from Nolan
Ryan's restaurant. Right next door to Ryan's restaurant is the Bass Inn
(361-786-3521). Back in Three Rivers, the Regency Inn (361-786-3541) is
conveniently located right next door to the Staghorn Inn restaurant. The
Three Rivers Best Western (361-786-2000) and the EconoLodge
(361-786-3563) are also good choices for anglers looking for a place to
stay.
