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Outdoor recreation abounds at Choke Canyon

Over the years, the 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.

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.” Though it is not situated near a major metro area, Choke Canyon is conveniently located near a couple of communities that are full of small-town charm.

Three Rivers and George West are the closest towns to Choke Canyon. Visitors to this portion of South Texas will more than likely be interested more in what to do, rather than what to see, as Live Oak County is far richer in activities than attractions. Either way, there are plenty of diversions to round out a fishing vacation in South Texas.

“Our big thing, really, is outdoor activity,” said Murrell Foster of the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce. “This area doesn’t have a lot of big attractions. We do have the Rialto Theatre, a movie theatre we restored about six years ago. This theatre had been closed for 20 years until we reopened it. It shows current movies, but it’s in an old-style theatre, which is pretty neat.

“There is also the Grace Armatrout Museum in George West, about 10 miles south of here. And, that’s a really good museum on the area history. But, we also have a number of events throughout the year.”

And, anglers whose families like to “do stuff” may want to plan ahead and time their visits with one of these local festivals.

“This year will be the ninth year for the Three Rivers Salsa Festival,” Foster said. “This is a really neat, one-day festival. We have two stages with live music. We have salsa tasting, salsa making, salsa judging, salsa dancing – all things salsa. This year, it’s April 5. We usually have it the first Saturday in April, unless that weekend coincides with Easter.”

Just down the road, George West also hosts a popular gathering. The George West Storyfest is among the more unique annual festivals in the Lone Star State. Held the first weekend in November, this yearly event consists of performances by professional and amateur storytellers, as well as live music, a parade, a street dance and a “Party in the Park.”

Another popular event is the Live Oak County Fair.

“The Live Oak County Fair is always held at the end of March – this year it’s March 27-29,” Foster said. “This truly is an old-fashioned county fair, complete with a rodeo, kids with their animals, arts and crafts, live music – there’s even a big cabrito (goat) cookoff that coincides with the fair.”

Then again, while searching for things to do, anglers and their families actually need look no further than the lake itself. One of Choke Canyon’s more distinguishing features is its lack of shoreside development. Choke Canyon is virtually surrounded by public access land, resulting in a bounty of birding, hiking, camping and picnicking opportunities. 

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 larger of the two. The Calliham Unit is fitted with screened shelters and a variety of campsites. It also has two miles of hiking trails, a mile-long birding trail, a wildlife educational center, four boat ramps and a man-made 75-acre lake.

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 six-lane boat ramp.

“We have excellent birding throughout Live Oak County and especially out around the lake,” Foster said. “And, there’s great wildlife viewing at the state parks. There’s wild turkey, hogs, deer – lots of animals and they’re used to having people around, so they don’t spook off too easily. In fact, we have a lot of wildlife photographers visit each year because there’s so much opportunity to get good wildlife photos.”

One often overlooked area for lakeside outdoor recreation is the North Shore Equestrian and Camping Area. Boasting more than 1,200 acres and 18 miles of trails, the North Shore area is across the dam from the South Shore Unit. Though there are no horse rental facilities, riders are welcome to bring their own horses. This area is only available for use on Saturdays and Sundays and is closed during hunting season.

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, 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. Back in Three Rivers, the Regency Inn is conveniently located right next door to the Staghorn Inn restaurant. The Three Rivers Best Western and the EconoLodge are also good choices for anglers looking for a place to stay.

While the area surrounding Choke Canyon Reservoir will never be confused with some of Texas’ more popular tourist stops, Three Rivers, George West, Live Oak and McMullen counties combine to offer visitors plenty to see and do. And, if you’re looking for a spot to take it easy and enjoy wildlife – and perhaps and old-time festival – this may be the perfect place.

Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
threeriverstx.org

Choke Canyon Lodge: 361-786-3999
http://www.chokecanyonlodge.com/

Charles Whited, guide: 512-557-6772
www.barefootfishing.com

 Carroll's Guide Service: 361-215-0766

Bass Inn: 361-786-3521
Regency Inn: 361-786-3541
Three Rivers Best Western 361-786-2000
EconoLodge 361-786-3563