News

Fisheries Center Closing for Remodel

The Edwin L. Cox Jr. Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens has been delighting visitors for more than a quarter-century. The facility has welcomed over a million visitors to marvel at the schools of fish in the indoor and outdoor aquariums, study the exhibits and learn how Texas’ diverse inland waterways connect all living creatures. The well-stocked fishing ponds provide an opportunity for visitors of all ages to wet a line, and thousands of new anglers have caught their very first fish here.

The TFFC will be closed to the public for renovations starting Aug. 28 with a tentative reopening of spring 2025. Outdoor aquariums and tanks, the indoor exhibit area and covered walkways will all receive major updates.

Through support from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and private donations, $4 million was raised to fund the massive project. Looking forward to the next 25 years, these enhancements will ensure that new generations of Texans can learn about and enjoy healthy populations of freshwater fish.

The TFFC was the first major public-private partnership between TPWF and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The 106-acre site came to life in 1996 through the generosity of many organizations and individuals who supported the landmark project.