Kids’ Fish Art Contest Winners Announced

Charisse Fung of Markham, Ontario, has won the top prize in the province’s 12th Annual Kids’ Fish Art Contest, with her scene of a toothy bowfin chasing a baitfish.

Fung’s entry (above) was declared the overall winner, as well as the winner for the grade 10 to 12 category.  The grade 4 to 6 prize was taken by Aaminah Kidwai from Mississauga, and Olivia Symons from Kingsville won the grade 7 to 9 category. Entrants were invited to draw either splake or bowfin, but this year all three winners came from the bowfin pool.

Each winner will have their art featured on three different versions of the 2015 Young Angler’s Licence, a free fishing licence for youth under the age of 18. Launched every fall, the Fish Art Contest provides participants with an opportunity to learn about the fish found in Ontario. This year there were 410 entries from across the province.

“I’d like to congratulate all the winners and thank all the students that entered the contest,” said Bill Mauro, Ontario minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “The 12th Annual Fish Art Contest isn’t just an opportunity for these talented students to display their artistic abilities but also an opportunity for them to learn about Ontario’s fish species, their habitats and conservation measures that protect them.”

Winners will receive classroom supplies donated by Staedtler-Mars and a complete set of fishing gear donated by Lucky Strike Bait Works. And as the overall winner, Fung also receives a three-day fishing excursion provided by Pine Portage Lodge, and a day of fishing with Canadian Sportfishing television show host Italo Labignan.

For more information, see Kids’ Fish Art Contest. Contest organizers also send a special thanks to their partners: Pine Portage Lodge, Canadian Sportfishing, Lucky Strike Baitworks, STAEDTLER Mars and Wildlife Forever.