LAKE LYNDON B. JOHNSON
Lake LBJ, part of the Highland Lakes chain on the Colorado River, covers more than 6,000 surface-acres from Granite Shoals to Kingsland, Texas. Channel, blue and flathead (yellow) catfish all are available in abundance.

“Over 40 years ago, when I began fishing the lake with my dad,” said guide Jim Files, “I remember catching many yellow cats and blues over 70 pounds, and a couple of 100 pounds plus that were weighed on cotton scales. Fish that size aren’t taken with regularity any longer, but I believe flatheads this size still lurk in holes along the Colorado and Llano rivers, the primary feeder rivers for Lake LBJ.”

A trip on LBJ today is likely to produce 40 or more catfish, a mixed bag of channels and blues in the 2- to 15-pound range, and frequently a blue or flathead of 20 to 40 pounds.

“The confluence of the Colorado and Llano rivers is a prime location,” said Files. “The channel averages 25 feet with holes to over 30 feet, and easily accessed by bank fishermen. Another good spot, particularly in winter, is in the lower lake area on the discharge side of the power plant. During even the coldest months (January and February), catfish stack up in this creek because the water temperature is 10 to 15 degrees warmer than the rest of the lake.”

Warm autumn and winter days bring catfish out of deeper holes and onto breaklines in 5 to 16 feet of water. “During these times, sloping sandy points are prime spots,” said Files. “Anchor in deeper water and, casting shallow, slowly work the bait back down the point an inch or two at a time until fish are found. Patience is a must during winter months since catfish are in their least active period.”

The heaviest LBJ flatheads and blues are taken on live baits such as sunfish, goldfish, minnows, shad that are fished in holes baited with fist-size chunks of cottonseed cake, commercial chum or dog food.

Information: Lower Colorado River Authority, 1-800-776-5272. Accommodations: Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce: 1-800-759-8178. Guide service: Jim Files, JR’s Guide Service, (830) 833-5688.

CHOKE CANYON RESERVOIR
Choke Canyon Reservoir is 80 miles south of San Antonio on Highway 72, four miles west of the town of Three Rivers. Built in 1982 and encompassing 25,989 acres at full pool, the reservoir contains considerable standing timber and numerous inundated ponds, islands and roadbeds.

Choke Canyon Reservoir has developed and maintained an outstanding catfish fishery, and is considered by many to be one of the best, if not the best, in South Texas, as well as one of the top-producing reservoirs in the state. Catfish anglers outnumber those seeking popular species such as white bass, crappie and largemouth bass. Blue, channel and flathead catfish are abundant, although the blue catfish population overshadows the other two.

Most fish harvested are blues. The reservoir produces large catches during all but the hottest summer days. The best fishing by season, according to local anglers, is during spring, fall, summer and winter, respectively.

Fish surveys by state biologists indicate Choke Canyon’s blue cats average 12 to 20 inches. The biggest catfish recorded from Choke Canyon weighed 70 1/2 pounds.