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Texas Fish Art Contest

Fish Art Logo 2026

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. Each student may submit only one entry per year. Entries must be in 2D format with digital submissions only. 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.

Contest Opens: September 01, 2026.

Contest Ends: February 28, 2027.

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2026 Fish Art Contest Winners

Texas Fish Art Contest Specifications

Artwork not meeting these specifications will be disqualified:

  • Artwork must be the contestant’s original hand-drawn creation. Participants are allowed to use photos, videos, and artwork, including those of past Fish Art participants as inspiration only when creating your artwork. Any artwork that is an exact replica of a photo or other work will be disqualified.
  • Art must include a fish species from the approved Freshwater or Saltwater list, in its natural habitat. Goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi fish are NOT eligible for the contest.
  • Art must be free of any signatures or initials on the front of the art; signatures are allowed on the back of the artwork.
  • Art must be free of any writing unless it relates to the artwork (i.e., the name of a boat).
  • Grades 4-12 are required to submit an original creative writing piece. The creative writing should be one page in length and should highlight their chosen fish species and should show the contestants knowledge, connection to and/or understanding of their chosen fish. Creative writing submissions may be decorated, have illustrations, or be creative in appearance, but the words should be the main focus of the piece.
  • 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.

Submissions

Digital entries only.

Scanning and format information will be available October 1.

Plagiarism Warning

  • Any artwork that appears to substantially replicate existing artwork or photography will be disqualified. For example, using the same medium, pose, lighting, and composition as another artist’s image is considered plagiarism, even if redrawn by hand. Regardless of how skillful a piece may be, if it is found to be plagiarized, it will be disqualified from all awards. Final decisions on plagiarism are made by Wildlife Forever and State Hosts.
Plagiarism

Above is an example that shows a case of plagiarism. Even though the student drew it by hand, they copied another artist’s work nearly exactly—same medium, pose, lighting, and background. This level of replication is not allowed in the Fish or Songbird Art Contests.

Even if you draw something yourself, copying another artwork or photograph too closely—especially in composition and execution—is considered plagiarism. Your artwork must be an original creation that reflects your interpretation and creativity.

Regardless of how skillful a piece may be, if it is found to be plagiarized, it will be disqualified from all awards. Final decisions on plagiarism are made by Wildlife Forever and State Hosts.

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 identify 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 2026-2027 contest year, the focus species is the American Eel (Anguilla rostrata).

Anguilla and rostrata are both Latin, meaning "eel" and "beaked," respectively. The latter is probably a reference to the fish's snout. The American eel has a slender snakelike body with very small scales, and the fish may appear naked. A long dorsal fin usually extends for more than half the length of the body and is continuous with a similar ventral fin. Pelvic fins are absent. The back may be olive-green to brown shading to greenish-yellow on the sides and light gray or white on the belly. American eels spawn during the winter in the Sargasso Sea, a tropical area northeast of Cuba. Adult eels spend most of their lives in freshwater, although the amount of time may vary among individuals. At some point, however, adults leave their freshwater habitats and move toward the Sargasso Sea. Neither adults or eggs have been collected in the vicinity of the Sargasso Sea, but newly hatched eels are found there. Presumably, spawning takes place in deep water and the adults die shortly thereafter. Young eels are transparent and leaf shaped. Years ago when they were first collected they were thought to be a new fish species and erroneously give the scientific name Leptocephalus. Within about a year, growing and moving toward the mainland, the American eels transform into more eel-like forms called "glass eels" or "elvers" and are ready to enter freshwater. Although it is native to much of Texas, the construction of dams, which impede upstream spawning migrations, has eliminated this species from most central and western areas of the state.

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.

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 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.

Official Texas Species Lists

Contact

Darrel Malone
Education and Interpretation Coordinator
TFFC.Education@tpwd.texas.gov
(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.