How Heart Of The Hills Center Supports Texas Fish Conservation

When it comes to preserving Texas’ great outdoors, few places have stood the test of time like the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center near Mountain Home. Originally built back in May 1925, this incredible facility, once known as the Heart of the Hills State Fish Hatchery, has now reached a century of conservation.

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As an outdoorsman who grew up fishing, camping, and exploring across the Lone Star State, I can’t help but appreciate the hard work and history behind this place. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff have spent 100 years studying fish behavior, breeding, and conservation so that folks like you and me can keep enjoying the lakes, rivers, and streams that make Texas home.

A Legacy Born in the Hill Country

Built on 36.4 acres of donated land at Stockman’s Springs, the hatchery was designed to be the largest bass hatchery in America. By 1929, they were already producing over 184,000 fish, including largemouth bass, bream, and crappie.

Over time, the facility evolved from just raising fish to becoming a hub for freshwater research. Since 1970, it’s been officially known as the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center, conducting groundbreaking work in fish genetics, habitat studies, and species restoration.

Texas Research Making a Splash

Today, the center is home to several major research efforts—like the Guadalupe Bass Conservation Project, which helps preserve Texas’ official state fish, and studies on non-lethal aging methods for bass that allow scientists to learn without harming the fish.

They’ve even teamed up with Texas Tech and Texas A&M to tag and track the Blue Sucker in the Colorado River and continue exploring species like the Alligator Gar, one of the few fish that can live over 100 years.

Watch the One-Arm Outdoorsman in Action

To celebrate this incredible milestone, I’m sharing one of my own One Arm Outdoorsman videos where I talk about fishing, camping, and keeping the Texas wilderness wild and thriving.

Here’s to the next hundred years of fish, fun, and fearless outdoor adventures, because as Texans, we know there’s nothing better than being out where the water runs wild and the stories never end.

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