Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
The Edwin L. Cox, Jr., Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) combines visitation and outdoor education with a production fish hatchery.
Built as a joint venture between TPWD, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the community of Athens, TFFC combines a Visitor Center, educational programming and a production freshwater hatchery. Developed on a 107-acre site, the facility includes a over 300,000 gallons of indoor and outdoor aquariums displaying dozens of species of native fish, waterfowl, alligators and amphibians in recreated habitats. A 14,000-sq.ft conservation center completed in 2007 provides space for meetings and special events .
Its mission is to provide an educational, entertaining visitor experience that promotes freshwater sport fishing and the enhancement, conservation and stewardship of aquatic resources in Texas.
The TFFC is a facility of the Inland Fisheries Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the state agency charged with the management and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of Texas. TPWD also works to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. TFFC activities carry out every aspect of this mission.
The estimated 1.8 million anglers who fish Texas lakes and rivers each year have an annual economic impact of $1.49 billion. Texans spend more money on fishing than on any other outdoor activity. Fish stockings along with harvest regulations have been the primary techniques used by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists to improve or maintain fishing quality.
Hatcheries play a vital role in maintaining the quality of fishing in Texas. Fishing pressure on Texas fresh waters is tremendous. Stocking of hatchery-reared fingerlings helps keep the quality of fishing high. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department annually produces more than 7.5 million bass, 1.2 million catfish, 5.8 million striped bass and hybrid striped bass, and 1 million other species of fish for stocking into Texas reservoirs.
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center houses one of five state fish hatcheries. Largemouth bass production is the primary focus of the hatchery, although other fish are also grown here. The hatchery produces 3 to 4 million Florida largemouth bass fingerlings annually.
Education is a huge part of the TFFC. The education team provides meaningful aquatic education experiences for school, club and scout groups. Programming is offered during a four-hour block beginning at mid-morning or at other times by special arrangement.
Teachers and group leaders may choose from among such activities as a wetlands tour, fishing, study of aquatic invertebrates, water quality investigation, fish identification, attending the dive show, tram tour of the production hatchery, tour of the Visitor Center exhibits and more.
Independent learning stations are available for self-guided study of properties of water and aquatic organisms.
Fly fishing instruction for beginner and intermediate levels is available at scheduled times by reservation. All equipment is furnished, but you may bring your own. Classes are held at the Fly Fish Pavilion adjacent to a wadeable pond stocked with largemouth bass. Recommended minimum age is 12, and a fee is charged.
Hunter education classes are offered at TFFC at various times during the year. The wetlands trail at TFFC also serves as a hunter skills trail for students from the East Texas area. Instructors may bring their classes to TFFC for this purpose. No admission fee is charged for use of the hunter skills trail, but reservations are required.
Some of the other activites include a State-Fish Art Contest, Distance Learning and other special programs for all ages.
TFFC is headquarters for the ShareLunker program. Anglers who catch largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more are encouraged to lend or donate the fish to TPWD for spawning purposes. Participating anglers receive statewide recognition and prizes to commemorate their catch.
Since the program began in 1986, more than 450 lunkers have been donated. Superior genetics from ShareLunker bass and their offspring are used to improve the quality of fish stocked in Texas waters. Ultimately, TPWD hopes to produce the next world record largemouth bass.