New Aquariums, Fishing Piers Added to TFFC In Athens

(Athens, Texas)  A grand re-opening date has been set for the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas.

This educational facility located outside of Athens has been entertaining, educating, and providing kids and parents alike the opportunity to learn about fish, their habitats, their life cycles, and the sport of fishing for nearly 30 years..

Since opening in 1996, more than 1.1 million people have enjoyed visiting the Edwin L. Cox, Jr., Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFCC). However, as facilities age, improvements are needed, and the facility has been closed since August 2023.

After five years of planning, construction began in August, and it has taken nearly two years to get through this extensive expansion and renovation project.

The end is near, and the big reveal is happening soon

The official re-opening date is set for Tuesday, July 1st. You may begin to see pictures of the progress on the new facility as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department readies a huge celebration for the completion of the renovation project.

READ MORE --> 5 East Texas Lakes Named Best for Fishing in the State

What's been renovated at TFFC in Athens?

To begin with, there are new large aquariums; they updated nearly 300,000 gallons of aquariums, renovated a theater, rehabbed existing exhibits and added new ones, and made quite a few enhancements to the visitors center.

Enhancements have also been made to the recreational ponds. There will be new fishing piers, and they have restored fish habitats.

What is there to do at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens?

You can learn about the diverse inland Texas waterways and the living creatures that call them home, see many diverse fish on display in aquariums, and visit working fish hatchery ponds where fish are grown before being released into area lakes, ponds, and rivers.

You can check out many educational exhibits, walk the wetland trails, and fish in the catch-and-release, well-stocked recreational fishing ponds.

READ MORE --> Two East Texas Lakes Named Top Fishing Spots in the Nation

Don't worry, you won't need a fishing license, because it's free, and if you don't have any fishing gear, don't worry about that, you can check some out for free on site.

Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located at 5550 FM 2495 in Athens.

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Make plans to visit TFFC in Athens later this summer, and you and the kids can reel in the big one for the first time ever, or reel in the big one for the hundredth time!