By Cindy Sandoval, USFWS
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens, Texas, is a hub of aquatic education, fish production, and conservation in the Lone Star State. Since opening in 1996, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) facility has drawn over 1.1 million visitors, offering an in-depth look at the diverse world of Texas’ freshwater ecosystems and how state agencies manage fisheries resources.
The 106-acre TFFC combines a Visitor Center, numerous fishing ponds, 300,000 gallons of indoor and outdoor aquariums displaying native fish, alligators, and amphibians in recreated habitats, a production hatchery, and more. Sport Fish Restoration dollars—paid by manufacturers of fishing tackle and a tax on motorboat fuel— supported the construction of the facility and continue to support hatchery production at the center. Now, with its current renovation effort, TFFC is set to expand their aquatic education capacity building on the foundation funded by federal excise dollars.
A Vision of Conservation and Aquatic Education
“Our goal is simple, engage and educate visitors,” said Tom Lang, Director of TFFC. “We want our visitors to leave with a better understanding of aquatic resources, fishing, and the work that the great state of Texas does to ensure fishing for future generations.” Aquatic education takes many forms at TFFC including outdoor interactive water exhibits that mimic the conditions found in Texas streams, rivers, and lakes giving visitors an immersive, up-close look at different aquatic habitats.
One activity that is popular with visitors are the numerous fishing opportunities and fishing education programs provided at TFFC. At least 13,000 people have caught their first fish at TFFC, on average that is two people each day the facility has been open. There are no licenses required to fish at the center and visitors can borrow tackle and rods. Staff and volunteers are on hand to teach visitors, school groups, and clubs how to cast, attach bait and lures, and how to reel in a fish. “Our aquatic education approach is twofold, we teach visitors how to fish, casting, bait selection, we teach the mechanics of fishing,” adds Lang. “We also teach the importance of sustainability and the fisheries management that goes into providing fishing opportunities here and around the state.”
Fish Hatchery Tram and Tours
TFFC houses one of five state freshwater fish hatcheries and produces over four million Lone Star Largemouth bass fingerlings annually along with catfish and other species of freshwater fish. Visitors can join a tram tour around the hatchery to learn how staff use biology, genetic research, disease management, and other science to raise millions of fish annually. Fish stockings along with harvest regulations have been the primary techniques used by TPWD biologists to improve or maintain fishing quality. TFFC’s hatchery is one of 321 state fish hatcheries across the country that are supported by Sport Fish Restoration funds using federal excise tax dollars. Sport Fish Restoration funds, administered by the Office of Conservation Investment, have apportioned over $12 billion to state fish and wildlife agencies to preserve the health, sustainability, and accessibility of the Nation’s fisheries and waters.
The Importance of Sport Fish Restoration Funds
The TFFC stands as a prime example of how outdoor pursuits can support both local economies and environmental conservation. “The Sport Fish Restoration funds used to build TFFC have allowed us to leverage other funding and expand our partnerships,” adds Lang. He also highlights support from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and industry partners like Zebco, Strike King, and Toyota for helping make a vision of aquatic education into a reality. “There are a lot of nature centers, but when we opened, we were the first fisheries center. Now we welcome visitors from Texas, all 50 states, and multiple countries as they learn about fisheries.” Now in its 29th year and on the verge of reopening the newly renovated facility Lang and his staff look forward to future years of visitors enjoying the expanded exhibits, additional fishing piers, and the updated Toyota Fishes of Texas Theater which includes daily dive shows.
Sustaining Texas Waters for Generations
There are over 4 million anglers in Texas and Texans spend more money on fishing than on any other outdoor activity. Fishing related expenditures, tackle, boats, fuel, travel and other expenses totaled over $11 billion in 2021. Texas has many beautiful and unique fisheries across the state and TFFC’s aquatic education ensures that these are not taken for granted. The facility expansion positions TFFC to engage and educate future generations about well-managed fisheries. “The challenges we face are only going to get more complex, we need great minds, engaged partners, and the public to understand that everyone can have a positive impact on fishing’s future in their local community, statewide, and throughout the Nation,” said Lang.