Possum Kingdom Fish Hatchery

Manager: Niel Pugliese
Email: niel.pugliese@tpwd.texas.gov

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Visitor Information

Possum Kingdom Fish Hatchery, commonly referred to as “PK,” is located immediately below Possum Kingdom Reservoir Dam in northwest Palo Pinto County. The entry gate is 13 miles west of Graford, Texas along Highway 16. Hatchery tours are offered each Tuesday at 2 pm and Friday at 10 am for groups of 10 or less. Tours for groups of 10 or more can be arranged by appointment. (See map and directions)

About the Facility

The Brazos River Authority provides up to 800 acre-feet of water per year free of charge to Possum Kingdom hatchery for fish production. Water is drawn by gravity flow from Possum Kingdom Reservoir and delivered to the hatchery via two pipe lines 10"and 14" in diameter. The slightly saline water (0.5 ppt chlorides) from the deep, clear reservoir is ideal for fish culture.

Possum Kingdom hatchery occupies 103 acres of land that was originally purchased by the State of Texas in 1947 for $12,858. The first phase of building was completed in 1950 at a cost of $297,000. The hatchery originally had 44 earthen ponds ranging in size from 0.27 to 3.25 surface acres. In the 1990s, thirty of the hatchery ponds were fitted with plastic liners which greatly improved hatchery efficiency by preventing loss of water and nutrients through seepage.

In 2000, extensive renovations were implemented to turn the PK facility into a modern hatchery. These renovations, ongoing as of 2006, reflect the state's commitment to maintaining hatcheries as important components of our fisheries management. Upgrades include:

• New water supply lines
• A new administration building
• A raceway building for intensive culture which includes four 100-foot concrete raceways
• New maintenance and storage buildings
• A new discharge filtration system that cleans water prior to return to the Brazos River
• New liners and aeration systems for all 44 ponds

Scheduled projects include ozone injection for treatment of all incoming water. This project has the potential to greatly reduce the negative impact of the toxic golden algae which has infested the Brazos River drainage system. With these upgrades to the Possum Kingdom Hatchery, Texas anglers can rest assured that quality striped bass, smallmouth bass and catfish fingerlings will be produced at this hatchery for years to come.

Information collection, reporting and research are produced with support from the federal Sport Fish Restoration program.