The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is proud to announce the opening of the 2025-26 Florida Fish Art Contest.
This annual program invites kids in grades K-12 from across Florida to connect with nature and learn about our native fish and aquatic habitats, while exploring creative art and writing.
Florida is one of the many participating states of the national Fish Art Contest, contributing to the effort that hopes to inspire more than 85,000 kids across the world to become a generation of outdoor stewards.
A first-place winner and runner-up will be selected for each grade bracket (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12) for each category, one for illustrating the best freshwater fish species and one for the best saltwater fish species.
To participate, students will select a native Florida fish specie from two lists and focus on its habitat, behavior and conservation needs: Freshwater: Florida Bass, Striped Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Spotted Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Florida Gar, Chain Pickerel, Bowfin Saltwater: Snook, Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Wahoo, Tarpon, Mahi-Mahi, Spanish Mackerel, Hogfish, Queen Snapper, Red Grouper Students will then create an original, handmade creation of the chosen fish (all physical mediums are welcome, no digital artwork), and write a one-page creative writing piece that reflects what they’ve have learned about the chosen species (4th grade and above).
