A friend asked me to travel with her to Austin next week. I'd like to ask a question and see what sort of feedback is posted.

Is there a state park around Austin, TX, with camping, fishing, and no need of purchasing a fishing license? I would like to introduce her to fishing, for sunfish during our short trip without having to purchase a license. As for the fish, again, sunfish, catch & release after taking a few photos.

I believe we're headed to Fredericksburg too, to see Enchanted Rock. I think that is north of Austin so I'm looking closer to Austin, TX. Thank you.

Jeff

Perdernales State Park is close to Austin. Lots of bank space and plenty of Sunfish.

Thanks for the information BAF. I watched the video and I think it's better than camping near Enchanted Rock. I'd rather see Enchanted Rock and camp somewhere where there's a little fishing. Maybe I can catch a few sunfish and finally contribute to the forum.

Jeff

Check this out. You can click the individual map points and it will give you a run down of each park. I've stayed at most of them so if you have any questions let me know. Good luck.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/nearby/austin

Would love to see a report even if you don't catch a fish. Love getting those Hill Country reports.


Side Note: Great Web site "Cypher"!

If you're going from Austin to Enchanted Rock, Inks would not be that much out of your way. You could check out the caverns while you're there.

BAF. I will post pics.

Cypher_Orange. Thank your for the link. Helpful information.

Jeff

Perdernales State Park is Great. Also Blanco State Park and Inks Lake State Park are close by as well. All of these parks are very well kept up with a lot of bank space. Good luck.

We're leaving out tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. and we are stopping for lunch at Waco, TX to meet a friend. Then onward, to the hills of Texas.

I'm really, really excited to make the trip. I strongly suggested the Perdernales State Park since my traveling cohort will be having a meeting in Austin, TX on Tuesday and I think it will be a much more entertaining and exciting place to visit. I want to see the falls, the bird feeding station and of course, the opportunity to sling a 'nightcrawler', tiny tubes and small roostertail into the river. And worse come to worse, hop in a moment to cool off.

I bet it will be fun and I am excited to have a few pics to share on return, either Wednesday or Thursday. Quick trip. Fun trip. Me thinks!

Jeff

I promised to share a report and some pictures after my trip to Pedernales State Park.

Camped out for a few days at one of several park campsites. Campsites were complete with water and electric. The host of the campgrounds sells firewood and ice. The weather was hot and having ice availed was a huge commodity for campers.

If you love birdwatching, two well constructed and maintained blinds exist within the park. Being a visitor from Dallas-Ft.Worth it allowed the viewing of several unusual birds which are rarely encountered in the DFW metroplex.

River level. It's a fairly shallow water system and the hikes down to the river descend several hundred feet to reach the river. I will stress the importance of carrying water or re-hydration fluids with you and maybe a small snack to give you fuel for the return back up to topside. As stated earlier the river is fairly shallow, with sort of a pocket water, riffle and pool feature. Most water is knee to waist deep. I did encounter a spot which went up to my chest, a nice small run and it was the deepest water encountered and it came in quite handy to stave off the sun with a little swim.

I planned to specifically catch panfish in order to take pics to show the TFF Bluegill/Sunfish forum. However, due to the fast paced action, and wading out in attempt of locating larger sunfish it made handling a rod, worms and taking pictures pretty darn tough. Used nightcrawlers for bait since most southern anglers in the region point anglers to it as 'the best'. Most of the sunfish were pretty small. A few may have reached 6" if measured. I caught several panfish which appeared to be some sort of cichlid, fairly light in color, some appearing to be partially silver and black when viewed in the water. Besides the typical sunfish encountered a most every lake I fish in my neck of the woods, this one species had me curious, I stopped off at the Park HQ's and no one could identify the fish based on the description. I didn't want to kill or transport fish the distance required to present a specimen for identification to the park staff. Maybe someone on TFF will have encountered it before and be able to identify it for me based on past fishing experiences and visits to the park. Hindsight being 20/20 it would be a fantastic place to pack in a 3 weight rod and a box filled with small surface and sub-surface flies.

Daylight hours were spent taking hikes to the river and afternoons were spent at camp reading a book in the shade of campsite trees or inside the tent. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were a blast as usual. Nothing like some good camp food.

Before I close out with the report. I had a 10 point buck come into the camp the night before we left as he straggled behind several does running around. Deer are abundant and you will see your share on your trip. The park has well maintained and clean, showers and bathrooms. I think everyone would have fun spending a day at Pedernales State Park close to Austin, TX.

Onward to the pics of some of the fun and beautiful views.



















Hopefully, the report and pics were interesting.

Looks like you had a super time. Thanks for sharing.

Your mystery fish may be a Rio Grande River Cichlid

Great times and Memories made. Good job.

Looks like you had an awesome time. Can't think of any better way to enjoy the summer. Being in the outdoors is hard to beat.

Yeah. I was thinking Rio Grande Cichlid as well.



Maybe?

Sounds like you had a blast. That is a very nice park.