Things to Do

Climb aboard the Ethel Express at the Visitor Center for an interpretive tour of the outdoor hatchery. Learn how TFFC grows large fish and stocks them in public water bodies. The tram makes a stop at the Strike King Pond for those who would like to walk the Wetlands Trail back to the Visitor Center.

Tram tours are scheduled weekdays at 11:30 a.m. and Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Thank you to the Friends of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center for making this experience possible.

More about the TFFC Fish Hatchery

From flowers to frogs and forest to fish, you will be immersed in the outdoors along the wetland trail. Learn about this valuable ecosystem while walking this 1.2 mile round-trip trail. The Wetlands Trail was built as a mitigation project by the Texas Department of Transportation to replace natural wetlands destroyed during construction of the highway loop around Athens.

Visitors of all ages enjoy fishing at TFFC. People new to fishing can learn the basics from our staff members at the Brookshires Angler’s Pavilion. We provide rods, reels, and bait at no charge! See the following guidelines for more details.

Personal Fishing Equipment

Visitors are welcome to bring in personal fishing gear.

Guidelines for personal gear:

• Check in your gear upon arrival at the Angler’s Pavilion by Lake Zebco.
• Single hooks only. No treble hooks or lures with treble hooks are allowed.
• Use barbless hooks or mash down barbs.

Bait and fish food:

• TFFC provides bait to visitors at no charge.
• Visitors may fish with commercially prepared baits in their original containers or natural baits such as crickets, chicken livers, worms or corn, providing those baits have been inspected and approved by staff at the Anglers Pavilion.
• Visitors may not bring any freshwater organism such as fish, crayfish or aquatic insects, dead or alive, into TFFC. This is to protect our waters and fish.
• No outside fish food, including dog food, is allowed.

Catfish and Trout Harvest

• Catfish and trout (seasonal) can be harvested for an additional fee.
• Harvest tags must be purchased before fishing or harvesting.
• Keep up to five catfish or trout per harvest tag. All fish must be checked at the Angler's Pavilion before leaving.

Held in early July, this event features a professionally staged fireworks show. Coordinated with the City of Athens, it is one of the biggest fireworks shows in East Texas. After 4 p.m., admission is free and open as capacity allows. Bring a picnic and enjoy fishing until dark, then see a spectacular fireworks display over the hatchery ponds.