South Llano River near Junction, Texas - Local Biotopes

northtexasfossilguy · 05-25-2009, 07:46 PM

Notes after a trip to Junction, Texas, on the biota of the South Llano River:

I recently went on a trip to Junction, Texas. I will be going again sometime in the next two weeks in case anyone wants to join me. Camping is $15 a night, I believe, and canoes are something like $10-$20, tubing is $5.

I saw a breeding pair of Texas Cichlids. There were also several kinds of tetras, and some beautiful sun perch that were very easily caught. Other fish I couldn't identify, but were equally stunning that lived in pools of small channels that cross cut the gravel bars. There were some tiny "mud skipper" fish that I caught and currently have, along with many minnows. I will post pics of these little guys when I get a chance for identification. I saw some smaller ram sized cichlids in some of the faster moving currents, but I couldn't identify them, they were probably juveniles, but I'm really unsure as the water rippled at the surface too much for me to see. I'm taking the scuba mask this time.

Of the large fish, I saw many 2 ft long Gar in the deeper areas, many catfish, three types of bass (two are catch/release required).

It costs $3 at the state park to fish, and I know many of the spots for good tank fish and good fish to eat. They seemed to be biting on worms and none of the designer baits. I got a few of the large fish to bite using some of the tetras that I had caught with a cast net.

I will post pics of the plants that I gather for help with identification, there are many types, and some are unique flowering plants. There are also many shore plants that have roots that are constantly in mud, and many wildflowers along the banks, which are obviously occasionally submerged. The water is very hard, and probably a 7-8 pH, as it runs over a limestone and muddy limestone area within the park. It is crystal clear to the bottom in most areas, making any finds here good aquarium fish. The temperature of the water is around 72 degrees, and it is spring fed.

A special permit is required for gathering plants within the park, but none will be at the campground, although the water there is more acidic and in a muddy substrate. There are crawfish galore at the campsite, along with some tiny 1inch frogs, and some interesting grasshoppers.

That's all for now, will update you when I get the pictures.

Fishtory · 05-31-2009, 03:23 PM

Sounds interesting, got pics yet?

milalic · 06-01-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northtexasfossilguy

Notes after a trip to Junction, Texas, on the biota of the South Llano River:

I recently went on a trip to Junction, Texas. I will be going again sometime in the next two weeks in case anyone wants to join me. Camping is $15 a night, I believe, and canoes are something like $10-$20, tubing is $5.

I saw a breeding pair of Texas Cichlids. There were also several kinds of tetras, and some beautiful sun perch that were very easily caught. Other fish I couldn't identify, but were equally stunning that lived in pools of small channels that cross cut the gravel bars. There were some tiny "mud skipper" fish that I caught and currently have, along with many minnows. I will post pics of these little guys when I get a chance for identification. I saw some smaller ram sized cichlids in some of the faster moving currents, but I couldn't identify them, they were probably juveniles, but I'm really unsure as the water rippled at the surface too much for me to see. I'm taking the scuba mask this time.

Of the large fish, I saw many 2 ft long Gar in the deeper areas, many catfish, three types of bass (two are catch/release required).

It costs $3 at the state park to fish, and I know many of the spots for good tank fish and good fish to eat. They seemed to be biting on worms and none of the designer baits. I got a few of the large fish to bite using some of the tetras that I had caught with a cast net.

I will post pics of the plants that I gather for help with identification, there are many types, and some are unique flowering plants. There are also many shore plants that have roots that are constantly in mud, and many wildflowers along the banks, which are obviously occasionally submerged. The water is very hard, and probably a 7-8 pH, as it runs over a limestone and muddy limestone area within the park. It is crystal clear to the bottom in most areas, making any finds here good aquarium fish. The temperature of the water is around 72 degrees, and it is spring fed.

A special permit is required for gathering plants within the park, but none will be at the campground, although the water there is more acidic and in a muddy substrate. There are crawfish galore at the campsite, along with some tiny 1inch frogs, and some interesting grasshoppers.

That's all for now, will update you when I get the pictures.

I would like to see some pictures

northtexasfossilguy · 06-03-2009, 12:23 PM

Yeah no pics yet, I've been setting my 55 gal S. American biotope up. I'll try to get to that on here tomorrow...

rbarn · 07-15-2009, 05:11 PM

I've had great fun fishing the Llano river near Junction.

Fly my small plane from Houston into the airport right there. Guide picks you up
takes you up river with a canoe and picks you back up in town few hours later.

Awesome fish.
Beautiful perch and small mouth with amazing colors.

Saw a small kingfisher bird hovering and dive fishing last time.
Very cool.