The New Jersey Trout Art Contest!

Students in grades K–12 are invited to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Pequest State Trout Hatchery by participating in the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife’s 2013 New Jersey Trout Art Contest!

This year’s contest is for fish art only (no writing component) and focuses on the three fish species raised at Pequest—brook, brown and rainbow trout. Students should choose one of these trout then, using their artistic skills, draw a scene with the trout selected in a natural habitat where this fish would be found in New Jersey. Artwork should be creative, original and incorporate accurate biological and ecological information regarding the fish’s appearance, habits and habitat.

 Photo: First place winner Owen Korth is a fourth grader from Bordentown.

Students can use the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website as a resource to learn about New Jersey’s trout, the Pequest Trout Hatchery and the trout stocking program. Artwork must have a finished size of 8.5 x 11 inches and may be created in acrylic, pencil, watercolor, oil, oil pastel, crayon or ink.

First place winners will be awarded for each grade level. Winners receive a rod and reel plusa certificate, as well as a youth membership to Trout Unlimited. All winners are invited to attend a special luncheon and awards ceremony at the Pequest Trout Hatchery on Opening Day of Trout Season, April 6, 2013. Prior to the luncheon, students will have the opportunity to fish in the Pequest Fishing Education Pond which is stocked with trout from the hatchery.

Artwork will remain on display at the Pequest Natural Resource Education Center for the year following the contest. All entries become the property of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and will not be returned.

Entries must be received by Friday, March 1, 2013.For more information, see NJFishandWildlife.com/fishart.htm.

The Fish Art contest is sponsored by the New Jersey chapters of Trout Unlimited.