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ANNOUNCEMENT: The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is currently closed to the public for renovations, reopening on July 1, 2025.

observation tank and visitors

Since 1996, more than 1.1 million visitors have enjoyed the Edwin L. Cox, Jr., Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC). TFFC is an award-winning, first-of-its-kind facility that has educated and inspired its many visitors with 300,000 gallons of aquaria featuring diverse Texas fish, dive shows, tram rides on the working hatchery, recreational fishing ponds, the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, educational exhibits, wetland trail, and through many amazing educational classes and events. As TFFC looks toward another quarter-century and beyond of public service, an extensive renovation is being conducted.

Renovations include each of the existing aquariums receiving updated habitat, new acrylics, and updated life support systems. New large aquariums featuring Guadalupe Bass/Hill Country Streams, Community Fishing Lakes, Texas Trout, and the Toyota ShareLunker program are being added. The visitor center is updating and adding new exhibits and updating the marquee dive theater. The more than 750,000 visitors who have fished at TFFC will return to newly renovated ponds like Zebco Pond with new fishing piers and restored fish habitats.

Although TFFC visitation must be suspended during this time, the hatchery will continue to operate and produce millions of fish for stocking in public waters. TFFC is the home of the Toyota ShareLunker Program, Angler Recognition Program, and Fish Art Contest. Each of these amazing programs will continue to operate and accept entries. The Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame will continue to accept nominations and conduct their annual member induction. The Hart-Morris Conservation Center will also continue conducting events and fishing and hunting educational classes.

TFFC is expected to reopen in the spring of 2025.

Thank you to the many donors and Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation for making this vital renovation of TFFC possible!

More details about the renovation can be found in this news release.