Info Courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

MADISON, Wis. - Trout and salmon have been capturing the imagination
of artists since at least the time of early cave paintings in France
some 14,000 years ago, scholars say.
Will your fish art make modern history?

In celebration of Wisconsin's world class inland trout waters and
productive Great Lakes fisheries, the Department of Natural Resources
is inviting entries for an inland trout stamp design contest and a
Great Lakes salmon and trout stamp design contest for the 2017 year
stamps.

"We're excited to offer these contests as a way of recognizing the
importance of trout and salmon in Wisconsin's outdoor heritage and our
economy," said Justine Hasz, DNR's fisheries bureau chief. "The
contests will create greater awareness of the impact of these
fisheries while also creating beautiful and lasting images of the
fish."

Artwork for the 2017 inland trout stamp contest and Great Lakes salmon
and trout stamp contest must be submitted by July 1, 2016. The
concurrent contests are open to those ages 18 and older - youth
contests are planned for the 2018 editions.

Subject matter for stamps must feature species of trout and salmon
found in Wisconsin's waters or appropriate subject matter relating to
trout and salmon fishing. Artists are not limited in their choice of
colors or medium, but the medium selected must be of permanent quality
such as pen and ink, oil, watercolor etching or pencil.

Once the artwork has been submitted, DNR will create an online gallery
and open the voting through the Web and Facebook in July. The top 10
entries from the online voting will then move to a final round of
judging by a panel of three to five judges with expertise and interest
in trout, salmon and wildlife art.
The top three entries will be ranked and put on display at the 2016
Wisconsin State Fair from Thursday, August 4 through Sunday, Aug. 14.

DNR's fisheries program first conducted the inland trout stamp contest
in 1978 and the Great Lakes trout and salmon stamp contest in 1982.
More than 70 artists participated in the early years of the contests
and Hasz said the fisheries program decided to launch the contests
again to capture a new generation of creative talent.

Artists are urged to read all contest rules and submission
requirements carefully. To learn more, visit DNR.wi.gov and search
"Trout Stamp Contest." Entries will be accepted starting immediately
and must be delivered or postmarked by July 1, 2016 and sent to the
Wisconsin Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Stamp Contest or the Wisconsin
Inland Trout Stamp Contest, Attn: Trout Coordinator, Wisconsin DNR
(FH/4), Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.

Questions may be directed to Joanna Griffin, DNR trout coordinator at


[email protected] or 608-264-8953.
In addition to purchasing a state fishing license, anglers who wish to
pursue trout and salmon must purchase an inland trout stamp or a Great
Lakes salmon and trout stamp depending on the waters they intend to
fish. Revenue from the stamp sales is used for restoring and
maintaining habitat and in the case of the Great Lakes stamp, for
stocking and rearing trout and salmon.