Celebrate Conservation Through Creativity: Young Artists Invited to the Texas Fish Art Contest

If you have a young artist in your family, this is a great way for them to showcase their talents and also learn about their selected fish species.

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) has announced it is now accepting entries for the 2026 Texas Division of Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest. This annual contest brings science, conservation, and creativity together and encourages students to dive into the natural world through art and writing.

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Young Artists Invited to Celebrate Texas Fish

Artists can submit their entries now through February 28, 2026. Participation is simple: students create an original illustration of a wild Texas fish, complete the entry form. For grades 4th through 12th, students will need to include a one-page piece of creative writing. Artwork should be mailed directly to the TFFC in Athens and must follow size and orientation guidelines. You can get the entry forms online.  The artwork must have a landscape orientation, be between 8x10 inches and 9x12 inches, and be postmarked no later than February 28.

Spotlight on the Paddlefish

Each year, the contest highlights a special species, and this time it’s the paddlefish. The Paddlefish lineage goes back 300 million years. Though it predates dinosaurs, the paddlefish is now threatened and has been protected in Texas since 1977. Its survival depends on free-flowing rivers, making conservation awareness especially important. Students who choose this prehistoric fish for their artwork may be selected for the Special Species Award.

READ MORE: East Texas Paddling: Toledo Bend Gets New Trails

Awards and Recognition

The winners will have their work published in the Texas Fish Art calendar, featured online in TPWD’s Fish Art Contest Flickr album, displayed at the TFFC, and recognized at a family fishing celebration. Scholarships are also part of the prize package. Winners advance automatically to the national Wildlife Forever contest, where additional specialty awards are available.

Inspiring Future Conservationists

Darrel Malone, TFFC Education and Interpretation Coordinator, said in a press release.

The Fish Art Contest is more than just drawing a fish.  As students research and connect with their chosen species, they begin to form a bond with the outdoors and an appreciation for conservation.

Teachers and parents can find entry forms, guidelines, and resources on the TFFC Fish Art Contest website.