In 1930 the City of Dallas began constructing a municipal fish hatchery on vacant land located immediately behind the dam in order to stock both White Rock and Bachman's Lake with a variety of edible fishes. These included bass, crappie or white perch, bream or green perch, and channel catfish. The annual production was more than 1 million fish.

The facility, which was spread out over several acres, consisted of twenty-six ponds. Each was about an acre in size and measured from eight to nine feet deep. These ponds are still in existence as of this date (2003).

In 1935 the City of Dallas conveyed ownership of the municipal fish hatchery to the Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission in return for a new hatchery at Fair Park. In 1936, in exchange for land at Lake Dallas (in Denton County) on which to build a new hatchery, along with some surplus pipe, the City regained ownership of the facility at White Rock.

The Municipal Fish Hatchery was still being used as late as 1953 but it probably did not continue in operation for many more years. The date it shut down is uncertain.

This area, which is surrounded by thick woods, is presently being used by the Audubon Society as a Nature Trail for birdwatchers.

From a 1937 Civilian Conservation Corps planning map, City of Dallas Archives. Scan courtesy Jay Firsching of Architexas.

If you have a photograph of the fish hatchery during its heyday that you would be willing to share, or if you know when the facility offically ceased operation, please send email to the host of this website:
steve@watermelon-kid.com.

Thanks!

Sources:

Dallas Morning News, Feb. 17, 1953.

Maxine Holmes and Gerald D. Saxon, eds., The WPA Dallas Guide and History (Denton, Texas: University of North Texas Press, 1992), 28, 29, 377, & 378.