The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will hold an open house at the new John D. Parker East Texas State Fish Hatchery near Jasper on Friday and Saturday, April 27th and 28th.

 

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When completed, the $43 million dollar hatchery will be capable of producing up to 5 million fingerlings each year for stocking in the state's public waters.

Financed by Texas anglers who purchase the freshwater stamp along with their fishing licenses, the new facility replaces the 1932 Jasper Fish Hatchery and provides much-needed production capacity for largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish and forage fishes.

The new hatchery is named for the late John D. Parker of Lufkin, who served as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioner 2003-2009 and was instrumental in securing funding for the project.

Following the initial two day open house, the facility will close again and remain closed until construction is complete, which should be in July.

Here's a link to a TPWD website with more information about the hatchery, and how to find it.

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