The Fish Art Contest sparks the imagination and provides valuable lessons about fish and the importance of conserving Texas’ aquatic resources. Art, science, and creative writing foster a connection to the outdoors and inspire the next generation of stewards.
The Texas Fish Art Contest is open to all Texas students in grades K through 12. Only one entry per student per year. It is a 2D format only, with physical entries mailed to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Artwork is judged in four age categories (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12). Texas includes two other award categories: Special Species Award and Mighty Minnow Award.
Texas Fish Art Contest Rules and Guidelines
Follow Wildlife Forever’s Rules & Guidelines
Texas-specific rule substitutions and additions:
- Physical artwork must be in landscape format, sized between 8×10” and 9×12”, and may not exceed ¼” in total thickness.
- Art must include a fish species found wild in Texas and in a natural habitat. Goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi fish are NOT eligible for the contest.
- Physical artwork will be mailed to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Official entries must also be submitted through the online entry form.
- Mail entry with the following items:
- Artwork
- Copy of the completed entry form
- Creative writing piece (Grades K-3 are not required to submit a creative writing piece.)
Additional Texas award categories:
The Special Species Award showcases a focus species or set of species each year. One winner will be chosen from all entries and spotlighted at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Students must correctly label their artwork for the specific species, and the artwork must be identifiable as the correct species. Students do not need to submit additional paperwork for consideration.
For the 2025-2026 contest year, the focus species is the Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula).
The State of Texas has protected the Paddlefish since 1977. It is considered a threatened species. It is unlawful to catch, kill, or harm Paddlefish in Texas. Paddlefish face a number of problems in Texas. They need large amounts of flowing water to reproduce. The construction of dams and reservoirs along Texas rivers decreases water flow and interrupts spawning. Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Fact Sheets for more Paddlefish information, or do more research on your own.
The Mighty Minnow Award celebrates the creativity and talent of Kindergarten participants in the K-3 age group. This special recognition gives the youngest artists a chance to be honored for their efforts and abilities, based on age-appropriate expectations. Students do not need to submit additional paperwork for consideration.
Submissions
Online Texas entry form: Contest Entry Form
New for 2025: The form includes both single and group entries.
Mailing address:
Texas Fish Art Contest
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
5550 F.M. 2495
Athens, TX 75752
This program is part of Wildlife Forever’s national contest. Texas state winners will be automatically entered into the national contest.
Note: If submitting for a class, please include the participant’s or guardian’s email address and home address for each entry. This is to ensure that we can contact winners directly.
Awards and Display
- Winners will be announced following judging.
- First-place winners from each age group will advance to the National Contest.
- Eligible entries for National Contest Specialty Awards will be scanned and submitted to the National Contest.
- One creative writing piece from each age group will advance to the National contest.
- Copies of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd winner’s artwork in each age category, plus the two additional Texas categories, will be displayed at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center through the conclusion of the following year’s contest.
References
- Use these websites to help students choose a fish species:
- Freshwater Fishes Found in Texas
- Marine Fishes of Texas
- Fishes of Texas
- To navigate and narrow the search of fishes by:
- Taxonomic group or geographic type, select “Data” tab
- Specific fish species, select “Taxonomy” tab
- Use these Texas Parks and Wildlife reference photos to help determine:
- Body Shape
- Proportions
- Coloration
- Relative size
Contact
Darrel Malone
Education and Interpretation Coordinator
903-286-7883
Sponsors
The Fish Art Contest is sponsored by Wildlife Forever, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Rapala, U.S. Forest Service, Bass Pro Shops, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, The International Game Fish Association, and Yamaha Right Water.
Article source and photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife
