MNR holding a Fish Art contest for kids

News Release
M.N.R.

Fishing is a great way to spend time together as a family. Ontario encourages this fun outdoor activity each year by holding a licence-free Family Fishing Weekend in February and Family Fishing Week in July.
For young people who are not sure they’re ready to take the plunge – and even for those who are already avid anglers – the Ministry of Natural Resources sponsors an annual Kids’ Fish Art Contest. Students who are Ontario residents and in elementary or secondary school can submit their original artwork before December 16, 2011. Only one entry will be accepted per student.
Every year, the ministry picks two species that represent the rich biodiversity found in the province. This year, the contest focuses on brown trout and American eel. All artwork should depict one of these two species in its natural habitat. The artwork will be judged on its quality and attention to detail.
Brown trout is a popular species with anglers and is found throughout the southern Great Lakes. It is most abundant in Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay. American eel has a long, snake-like body and fins that extend along its back around the tail and along its underside. Born in the ocean but maturing in freshwater, the eel is an important part of the diversity of life in the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River region and is endangered in Ontario.
Learning more about nature can help young people to appreciate the connections between the tremendous variety of living things on earth. It can also lead to a commitment to getting involved in protecting nature in our communities. We all need clean air to breathe, safe water to drink and natural areas to enjoy.
The winning artwork from each grade group will appear on the 2012 Young Angler’s Licence. An overall winner, chosen from the top three grade group entries, will receive an exciting prize package that includes a fishing trip to Red Pine Lodge and a day spent fishing with the host of the Canadian Sportfishing television show.
More information can be found at ontario.ca/fishartcontest.