ATHENS – The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens will kick off National Fishing and Boating Week on Saturday by making a family fishing trip affordable with free admission for kids 12 and under plus free fishing for the whole family.

Free hot dogs, chip and drinks will be served from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. by employees of the Athens Walmart Supercenter.

Families may also win prizes in a catfishing tournament at TFFC’s casting pond. Anglers may fish as individuals or as teams with an adult assisting a child.

All tackle and bait are furnished.

In addition to fishing, visitors can walk the wetlands trail; see a diver hand feed fish; learn about the history of fishing in the freshwater fishing museum; shop for a Father’s Day gift in the Flat Creek Bait ‘n Goods Gift Shop and watch the alligator feeding at 3:30 p.m.

National Fishing Day at TFFC is sponsored by Athens Walmart Supercenter, First State Bank, Red Hat Rentals, Ernie Yarborough, Friends of TFFC and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

National Fishing and Boating Week comes at the start of the summer vacation season and is designed to encourage families to spend time together on and around water. No fishing license is required anywhere in the state on the first Saturday in June, which is designated Free Sportfishing Day.

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is an aquatic nature center and hatchery complex operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

It is located 75 miles southeast of Dallas and four miles east of Athens on F.M. 2495.

Dive shows take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Usual admission is adults, $5.50; seniors, $4.50; children 4-12, $3.50.

For more information go to www.tpwd.texas.gov/tffc or call 903-676-2277.