Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery
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About Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery
At the Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery in Burnet, Texas, volunteers help support fish culture, wildlife habitat, and environmental education. Your gift helps keep free outdoor learning and recreation available to children, families, schools, and other visitors, from youth archery and birding to fishing, hiking, and kayaking access. The pollinator garden, built with native Texas plants, gives birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife a place to find habitat and food.
This is a place where visitors can learn how fish are produced, walk six trails, visit a native pollinator garden, and take part in archery, birding, fishing, or kayaking access. The Friends support both the conservation work behind the scenes and the free public activities that bring people into the hatchery setting.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Wildlife conservation volunteering
Volunteers assist with fish culture activities, improve or create wildlife habitat, provide recreation, and conduct environmental education.
Youth and family archery
Archery programs provide instruction for novice and experienced archers, with a focus on children and teenagers. Sessions follow National Archery in the Schools Program safety guidelines.
Hatchery Outdoor Program
The Hatchery Outdoor Program introduces fourth- and fifth-grade students to wildlife conservation through stations covering the pollinator garden, trails, catfish and mussel reproduction, fishing, and birding.
Group tours and environmental education
Free tours are available for families, schools, Scout groups, child care facilities, and homeschool groups. Activities may include casting, archery, pollinator garden tours, birding, hiking, fish production, presentations, and fishing.
Pollinator garden
The Friends designed, restored, installed, and maintain a garden using native Texas plants that provide habitat and food for birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife.
Recreation and visitor activities
Visitors can hike six trails, visit the pollinator garden and bird blind, picnic, fish or launch kayaks at the river dock, and feed catfish.
Free Fishing Days and special events
The hatchery offers public fishing opportunities and special events, including archery classes and guided hikes, subject to registration and availability.
About this work
Mission
Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery supports wildlife conservation at the hatchery through volunteer assistance with fish culture activities, wildlife habitat, recreation, and environmental education.
Who they serve
The public, including children, teenagers, families, fourth- and fifth-grade students, schools, Scout groups, 4-H clubs, child care facilities, homeschool groups, and other interested organizations.
Their impact
- The Friends designed, restored, and installed the pollinator garden in 2020 using native Texas plants to provide year-round habitat and food for birds, butterflies, bees, and wildlife.
How your donation helps
- Native plants for the pollinator garden
- Food for pollinators
- Binoculars for groups using the bird blind
- Bird blind upkeep
- Archery equipment for classes
- Fishing equipment for group classes
Need help?
How someone in need can access Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery’s services.
Groups interested in tours or educational activities can submit a tour request or call the group tour coordinator at 512-793-2474. Visitors can use the hatchery's free activities during daily operating hours of 7 AM to 3:30 PM.
Grant support
$1,000 from 1 funder · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- TEXAS INSTRUMENTS FOUNDATION — $1,000 (2024)DONATIONS TO COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS UNDER "MATCHING GIFTS PROGRAM."
Events
Hatchery Outdoor Program
May 2024 dates listed as May 7, 9, 14, and 16Fourth- and fifth-grade students visit the hatchery for wildlife conservation learning stations, including the pollinator garden, trails, fishing, fish production, and birding.
Free Fishing Days and special events
Dates varyPublic fishing opportunities and events such as archery classes and guided hikes are offered at the hatchery.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Friends of Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery has shared.
Current needs
- Volunteers for fish culture activities
- Volunteers to improve or create wildlife habitat
- Volunteers to provide recreation and environmental education
- Archery equipment for classes
- Fishing equipment for group classes
- Native plants and pollinator food
- Binoculars and bird blind upkeep
Volunteer opportunities
- Assist with fish culture activities
- Improve or create wildlife habitat
- Provide recreation activities
- Conduct environmental education
- Help with visitor programs and group tours
- Serve as an archery instructor after training
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What activities can a group tour include?
Groups can request casting, archery, pollinator garden tours, bird blind visits, an Overlook Trail hike, fish production instruction, presentations, and live fishing when hatchery staff permit it.
Who can participate in the Hatchery Outdoor Program?
The program is designed for fourth- and fifth-grade students. Through hands-on stations and guided activities, students learn about wildlife conservation.
What are the archery program age and group guidelines?
The youth-focused programs serve children who can hold and draw a standard Genesis bow with a minimum draw weight of 10 pounds, through teenagers. Sessions generally include no more than 12 students for close supervision.
Can visitors launch motorboats at the river dock?
No. The dock is for kayaks and fishing, and it does not support boat launching.
Are hatchery activities free?
Entrance and available activities and programs are free. Catfish food from the dispenser costs 25 cents per handful. Fishing at the river dock follows applicable Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulations and license requirements.
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