Illinois Fish Art Contest

The Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest

A partnership between the Illinois Conservation Foundation and Wildlife Forever

Discover the Art of Conservation

The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) is proud to host the Illinois Fish Art Contest in collaboration with Wildlife Forever. This program uses art and writing to inspire K-12 students to learn about fish species, aquatic habitats, and conservation efforts.

Open to students across Illinois, the contest encourages creativity while fostering environmental stewardship. Participants submit hand-drawn artwork and an accompanying piece of writing, combining education, science, and art to create meaningful connections with nature.

Fish Art Contest is Open Entry Form

Read Rules & Steps to Enter

2025 IL Fish Art Contest Winners

  • Glitter Fin

    Glitter Fin

    1st Place, Kayla Xu, K-3

  • Legacy & Future of Brook Trout

    Legacy & Future of Brook Trout

    1st Place, 4-6, Noelle Cho

    Brook Trout

  • Mudskipper

    Mudskipper

    1st Place, 7-9, Aaron Aan

  • Largemouth Bass

    Largemouth Bass

    1st Place, 10-12, Jaewoo Park

  • Bluegill at DuPage River

    Bluegill at DuPage River

    2nd Place, K-3, Tereza Duda

    Bluegill

  • Bluegill

    Bluegill

    2nd Place, 4-6, Chyrsovalantis Tsiganos

  • Stream Life

    Stream Life

    2nd Place, 7-9, Kaylee Kim

    Brook Trouts

  • Swimming Along

    Swimming Along

    2nd Place, 10-12, Hajean Lim

    Arapaima

  • Other

    Other

    3rd Place, K-3, Rina Zhu

    Other

  • The Majestic Salmon

    The Majestic Salmon

    3rd Place, 4-6, Chloe Min

    Salmon

  • Bluegill

    Bluegill

    3rd Place, 7-9, Deanna Altyniikov

  • A Beauty with Thorns

    A Beauty with Thorns

    3rd Place, 10-12, Diane Park

    Lionfish

Steps to Enter

  • Review the Rules: Download the contest Rules and Guidelines PDF below.
  • Choose Your Fish: Select any native Illinois fish species to highlight in your artwork.
  • Research and Create: Explore your fish species and craft an original, hand-drawn piece of art.
  • Write About It: Submit a short essay, poem, or story about your chosen species. Writing is optional for K-3 participants.
  • Submit Your Entry: Follow the guidelines to submit your work digitally or by mail.

Submissions are due by February 28th, 2026.

Download Rules

Contest Details

Contest Age Categories

Winners are recognized in four age groups:

  • Kindergarten-3rd Grade
  • 4th-6th Grade
  • 7th-9th Grade
  • 10th-12th Grade

First-place state winners advance to national judging for top honors!

Prizes and Recognition

Top participants receive prizes, certificates, and the opportunity for national recognition.

Resources for Educators

Teachers can access free lesson plans, videos, and other materials to integrate conservation education into the classroom. Learn more at The Art of Conservation Lesson Plans.

Ready to Enter?

Submit your completed entry form, artwork, and written piece online or by mail. Visit FishArt.org for submission details.

Submit Your Entry

Our Partners

The Illinois Fish Art Contest is made possible through the collaboration of Wildlife Forever and the Illinois Conservation Foundation. Together, we work to inspire youth and promote conservation across the state.

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