Originally published: May 20, 2019

Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens is an interactive museum where you can tour a hatchery, check out exhibits and even go fishing!

“One of our purposes is to help raise large mouth bass here in the state of Texas,” said Rebecca Sellers, Event Coordinator at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC). “So we do have a complete hatchery system where we spawned the large mouth bass. We raised them until they’re fingerling size and then we take them out and stock them up in the public waters of Texas, usually about 6 million a year.”

TFFC is one of 5 state fish hatcheries.

“The other purpose is our visitor center where families can come and they can enjoy going fishing together,” said Sellers. “They can enjoy spending time outside, they can take in our dive show…and they can take a narrated tour of our hatchery on the outside.”

Here’s the times for the Dive Shows & Tram Tours:

And if you want to just fish instead of learning about them, you’re in luck. They provide everything you need for free. And you don’t need a fishing license or prior experience.

Poles, bait and a large stocked pond are all within reach.

Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located at 5550 FM 2495 in Athens.

Their off season hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday- Saturdays and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Sundays. Off-season is September -February.

Their regular hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesdays – Saturdays and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Regular admission is $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors 65 and older, and $3.50 for children 4-12.

If you would like a season pass, it’s $15 for adults, $12.50 for seniors, and $8 for children. It’s valid for one year after the date of purchase and season pass holders get 10% off gift shop items.

Visit TFFC’s website here. And follow them on Facebook here.

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