Why Visit the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center?
Learn about many fascinating Texas fish (and other wetlands creatures) by exploring the indoor and outdoor aquariums, ponds, natural pools, and the wetlands walking trail. See the spawning areas and find out how Texas stocks its many freshwater habitats.
A Great Field Trip for These Topics:
- Texas Fish & Fishing
- Lakes, Rivers, & Streams
- Wetlands Habitats
Quick Info:
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
5550 FM 2495
Athens, TX 75752
Need more info? Contact them here.
March-August
Tuesday-Saturday: 9am-4pm
Sunday: 1pm-4pm
September-February
Wednesday-Saturday: 9am-4pm
Sunday: 1pm-4pm
Adults: $5.50
Seniors: $4.50
Children 4-12: $3.50
What Can You Expect to See & Do at the Fisheries?
You can expect quite a bit. Spend an hour or two, or fishing enthusiasts may want to bring a chair and spend the afternoon. This sprawling attraction can be broken down into five main areas:
- Admissions & Outdoor Exhibits
- Indoor Museum & Visitor Center
- Fishing Pond
- Tram Tours
- Wetlands Walking Trail
Admissions & Outdoor Exhibits:
Begin by purchasing admission (and maybe fish food!) You will pass through some outdoor exhibits first.
- Stream Exhibit (See the state fish, the Guadalupe bass, only found in Texas.)
- Farm Pond Exhibit (Texas Farm ponds commonly stock channel catfish, sunfish (bluegills), and largemouth bass.)
- Pond Management Exhibit (Learn about keeping Texas ponds and the wildlife living in them healthy.)
- Bluegill Spawning Area (Observe bluegill spawning habits in the round beds and see hatching fry.)
- Reservoir Exhibit (See the oldest surviving species in North America, the prehistoric paddlefish, as well as other species living in Texas inland waters.)
- Alligator Exhibit (View and learn about Texas alligators.)
- Texas Giants Exhibit (Check out the enormous fish you can catch in Texas.)
Indoor Museum & Visitor Center
- Browse historical fishing equipment.
- See the Texas record-holders fish display and Texas freshwater fishing hall of fame.
- Learn about conservation in Texas through interesting exhibits.
- Look through the viewing windows at the tanks below housing largemouth bass used in the Toyota ShareLunker selective breeding program.
- View the aquarium dive show in the Anheuser-Busch Theater.
- Take home a souvenir from the gift shop.
Fishing Pond
Visit the anglers pavilion to pick up everything you need to fish in Lake Zebco (the 1.2-acre pond.) Sunfish and channel catfish are stocked year-round, and rainbow trout in the winter. Friendly staff are available to help if you need instruction.
Tram Tours
Hop on a guided tram tour to see the outdoor hatchery ponds. The tour ends at the fly fishing pond and riders have the option to walk back via the wetlands trail or take the tram back.
Wetlands Trail
Wonder through the .8-mile walking trail alongside ponds and streams, bogs and wildflowers. The trail features a bee house, nature communication center (where you can listen to the sounds of wetlands wildlife,) and a duck blind overlooking the fly-fishing pond.
Tips for Visitors
- There is a picnic area available near the fishing pond.
- Dive shows are currently scheduled for 11am Tuesday through Saturday, and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Video Preview
Additional Resources
Take Me Fishing PDF from TPWD
Learn About Texas Freshwater Fishes PDF from TPWD
