Celebrating the Fish of the Great Lakes: New Specialty Award Added to Fish Art Contest
White Bear Lake, MN – Wildlife Forever is excited to announce the addition of the Great Lakes Fish Specialty Award to the 2024-25 Fish Art Contest. Created in partnership with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC), this new award celebrates the fish species that provide valuable ecosystem services and are integral to Great Lakes Indigenous, commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries. It also raises awareness of non-native fish species that negatively impact the ecosystem.
“Wildlife Forever is thrilled to partner with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission on this exciting new award,” said Veronica Mangio, Marketing & Communications Manager at Wildlife Forever. “As an organization located in Minnesota, we have a deep, personal connection to the Great Lakes region. Many of our staff have grown up exploring these waters, and we’re honored to celebrate the remarkable fish species of the Great Lakes. Together, we hope to inspire future generations to protect and manage these vital ecosystems for years to come.”
To be eligible for the Great Lakes Fish Specialty Award, students must submit artwork featuring a fish species from the official eligibility list of native, naturalized, or non-native, and invasive fish that inhabit the Great Lakes. Winners in each of the four grade categories—Kindergarten-3rd grade, 4th-6th grade, 7th-9th grade, and 10th-12th grade—will receive unique prizes, including Great Lakes Fishery Commission merchandise, a sea lamprey model, stickers, and more. Winning artwork will be displayed on the GLFC’s social media channels and featured in an exclusive calendar distributed to partners, legislators, and the public.
“The GLFC is excited to partner with Wildlife Forever for this award that highlights fish species inhabiting the vast freshwater ecosystems of the Great Lakes and we look forward to using the artwork that results as part of our outreach and education program!”, said Dr. Marc Gaden, Executive Secretary of the GLFC.
The Great Lakes Fish Specialty Award encourages participants to explore the diversity of fish species, including iconic native species like lake trout and walleye, naturalized species like Chinook salmon, and non-native invasive species such as the sea lamprey. By educating students and the public about the delicate balance of these ecosystems, the contest fosters an understanding of the importance of conservation and sustainable management.
How to Enter
The Fish Art Contest is free to enter and open to K-12 students. To qualify for the Great Lakes Fish Specialty Award, artwork must feature a species from the species list of Great Lakes fish defined by GLFC, which can be found here. The 2025 Fish Art Contest closes February 28th.
To learn more about other specialty awards, contest rules, and submission details, visit FishArt.org.
About the Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Established in 1955, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission coordinates fisheries research, controls the invasive sea lamprey, and facilitates cooperative fishery management among state, provincial, tribal, and federal agencies across the U.S. and Canada.