Kids’ Fish Art Contest
The 22nd annual Kids’ Fish Art Contest is here. Find contest details, resources and read about last year’s winners.
How it works
Ontario students are invited to enter the Kids’ Fish Art Contest. Show off your artistic talents and learn about Ontario’s fish and their habitats.
Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and a public vote There is 1 winner for each of the following 3 categories:
- Grades 4-6
- Grades 7-9
- Grades 10-12
Download the contest information kit (PDF).
Eligibility
The contest is open to all students who are:
- residents of Ontario
- in grades 4 to 12
- currently attending elementary, secondary or homeschooled
Only 1 entry per student will be accepted. All entries must include:
- a completed entry form signed by a parent or guardian
- the original artwork that complies with our requirements
Fish species selection
Students can choose between a bluegill and a brook trout.
Featured fish facts
Habitat preferences
Habitat preferences
- Warmer lakes and ponds and clear water with some weed growth
- Streams with cold, quiet pools between fast water runs and coverage from overhanging branches, logs and rocks
Size
Size
- 15-22.5 centimetres (6-9 inches)
- 200 grams (0.4 pounds)
- 15-40 centimetres (6-16 inches)
- 0.45-1.36 kilograms (1-3 pounds)
Artwork requirements
The artwork must:
- highlight your chosen fish species in its natural habitat
- be the contestant’s original, hand-made creation
- not exceed ¼ inches in thickness and 8½ x 11 inches in size
You may use the medium and technique of your choosing, such as:
- acrylics
- oil
- watercolour
- crayon
- pencil crayon
- markers
- collage
- printmaking
Photographs, tracing and computer-generated artwork will not be accepted.
No lettering, signatures, or initials may appear on the front of the design.
Key dates
- contest opens: October 17, 2024
- contest closes: January 3, 2025
- winners announced: March 2025
How to enter
Entry forms must be completed, signed by a parent or guardian and attached to the back of the artwork.
Entry forms and artwork submissions must be postmarked and mailed to the address on the entry form no later than January 3, 2025.
Download entry form (PDF)
Selecting and announcing the winners
The winners will be contacted by March 2025.
All winning entries will be announced on this page.
The ministry retains all winning entries.
By entering the contest, students consent to the use of their artwork by the ministry for promotional use after the contest closing date, without compensation.
Judging criteria
Judges will evaluate entries based on the following criteria:
- Artistic expression: how well the artwork demonstrates the principles of art — balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, repetition, rhythm and unity.
- Fish anatomy: the accuracy and detail of the fish's anatomy shown in the artwork.
- Accurate habitat: how accurately the artwork represents the fish's natural habitat.
Judging process
A panel of Fish and Wildlife Program staff will:
- evaluate submissions using the judging criteria
- select the top artworks for each grade group
The judges’ selections account for 75% of the total score.
The remaining 25% of the score will come from a public Facebook vote of the top 5 artworks from each grade group.
The artwork with the highest combined score will win their respective grade group.
Prizes
Winners will each receive:
- a fishing prize pack
- tickets to the 2025 Toronto Sportmen’s Show in March
Last year’s contest winners
For the 21st annual contest, students chose between Chinook salmon and brown bullhead.
Grades 10-12
Bea G. of Thunder Bay, Ontario
Grades 7-9
Naomi C. of Markham, Ontario
Grades 4-6
Baichen W. of Oakville, Ontario
