Group Visits

We focus on freshwater fish management in Texas. During a field trip, youth are introduced to fish production, angling skills, habitat conservation and how these contribute to Texas’ waterways and recreation.

Groups may participate in

• Fishing at the recreational ponds
• Attending a fish feeding program
• Viewing the outdoor hatchery on a tram tour
• Walking the wetland trail

Group reservations of 10 or more people must be made two or more weeks in advance to receive the group discount rate of $2.50 per person. This also guarantees a dedicated time for each activity if groups can stay for at least a four-hour block. Fill out the online reservation form and you will receive confirmation and further information for your trip.

Thank you for choosing to visit the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. We hope you find the following information helpful in planning your field trip to our facility. Please share this page and information with all leaders of your group.

Please be aware that TFFC experiences high visitation during the spring. We recommend that you contact us early for the best selection of dates and times. Have an alternate date selected when making your reservation request.

Please instruct any adults not included in the school billing to go directly to Admissions to pay.

Weekday Groups: Schedules are provided for weekday groups with reservations made at least 14 days in advance. After booking confirmation, please expect another email from our staff two weeks prior to your field trip to finalize your schedule.

Weekend Groups: Schedules are not provided for weekend groups; please plan your visit according to published TFFC activities.

Complete the reservation form for Groups on our website.

Please know that reservation requests are pending until processed with confirmed dates. Reservation confirmations and detailed schedules are sent via email.

You will move through the three activities at the Center within these subgroups based on the number of students at the facility. Each group of students must have adequate chaperones.

Arrange for adequate numbers of chaperones:

• All students must be chaperoned at all times.
• Students 2nd grade and younger are required to have 1 chaperone for every 3 students to fish at TFFC. Groups not meeting a 1:3 requirement will be able to participate in an alternate program. Students in 3rd grade are required to fish in pairs.
• Chaperones must accompany students in the gift shop which has a 15-student limit at a time.
• Carefully review the Guidelines for Student Behavior (listed below) with your students.

TFFC does not have storage space. Please leave coolers, lunches and personal belongings on the bus. If you prefer, you can have extra adults take these items to a picnic area but have a monitor stay with your belongings.

Picnic areas are located on the TFFC grounds. Snacks are available for sale from vending machines in the visitor center. No food or drinks are allowed in the theater.

TFFC accepts one payment in full for the entire group. Purchase orders, school/organization checks, VISA, MasterCard, Discover or cash is accepted. Please make checks payable to Texas Parks and Wildlife. Refunds for overpayment when paying with a check will not be given. A prearranged PO is preferred. If you need to pay on site for the trip, a formula sheet will accompany your confirmed reservation.

Additional adults not paid for by the school are required to go through Admissions prior to entry. They must mention that they are with the group to receive the discounted group rate.

Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center staff and volunteers want everyone involved to have fun while learning about Texas' natural resources. Consider your field trip to TFFC to be an extension of your classroom. As such, it is expected that teachers, chaperones and students will conduct themselves in a manner that reflects acceptable behaviors in your classroom. Please make sure all teachers, chaperones and/or group facilitators understand this information.

• Teachers/chaperones are responsible for keeping their group together and for monitoring student conduct.
• Follow school rules. Be courteous and respectful of other visitors. Help students to use their quiet voices and walk through the exhibits. Do not allow students to climb on exhibits or railings for their protection and the protection of state property.
• Students must always stay with their teacher or chaperone.
• Leave no trace! Please make sure to keep TFFC looking the way you found it when you arrived – dispose of trash appropriately, and please remind students and chaperones not to pick any of the foliage (leaves, flowers, etc.) around the grounds.

Please be respectful of the presenters and other guests by keeping talking and noise to a minimum during presentations. Students, teachers and chaperones are asked to not use cell phones during presentations, except for videos and photography.