2026 Fish Art Contest Winners Banner

Here are your 2026 Fish Art Contest Winners!

Some of New Mexico’s most talented youth artists took part in the first-ever Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, with winners announced last week by the New Mexico Department of Wildlife.

The contest included divisions for grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. The top-three finishers in each division will proceed to the National Fish Art Contest, sponsored by Wildlife Forever. Other categories included the Invader Crusader Award, for artwork featuring a native and invasive aquatic species found in the student’s local area; the Mighty Minnow Award, for kindergarten participants; the New Mexico Native Trout Award, for artwork highlighting New Mexico’s native trout species — Gila trout or Rio Grande cutthroat trout; and the New Mexico Species of Greatest Conservation Need Award, for artwork that best represents species identified by the Department as being most at risk and in need of proactive conservation.

First-place winners in grades 7-9 and 10-12 received guided half-day fishing trips provided by Mayfly Fly Fishing. Those who finished in first, second and third place in grades K-3 and 4-6 received a group fishing experience with Chris Jarvis, who works with the Department on various educational efforts throughout the state. Other prizes were donated by Trout Unlimited and private individuals.

The Department would like to thank Sen. Martin Heinrich’s office and Trout Unlimited for their support and assistance with judging this year’s entries, as well as the New Mexico Council of Outfitters and Guides for helping to secure fly-fishing services.

Below are your 2026 Winners!

Grade K-3

  1. Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout by Maverick Morales
  2. Rainbow Trout by Muhan Gao
  3. Nm Brook Trout by Claire Archuleta
First Place Grades K-3 Maverick Morales - Brook Trout
Third Place Grades K-3 Claire Archuleta - Brook TroutThird Place Grades K-3 Claire Archuleta - Brook Trout

Grade 4-6

  1. Rainbow Trout by Melany Trevizo
  2. Gila Trout by Bella Springstead
  3. Rio Grande Cutthroat by Maya Croom
First Place Grades 4-6 Melany Trevizo - Rainbow Trout

Grade 7-9

  1. Southern Redbelly Dace by Claire Lee
  2. Longnose Gar by Ellie-Jean Landin
  3. Bluegill by Silas Bledsoe
First Place Grades 7-9 Claire Lee - Southern Redbelly Dace
Second Place Grades 7-9 Ellie-Jean Landin - Longnose Gar
Third Place Grades 7-9 Silas Bledsoe - Bluegill

Grade 10-12

  1. Gila Chub by Christina Rose Agrusa
  2. Greenthroat Darter by Sophia Morgan
  3. Trout by Arielle Senior
First Place Grades 10-12 Christina Rose Agrusa Gila Chub

Invader Crusader

  1. Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout & Zebra Mussel by Jackson Pfeiffer
First Place Invader Crusader - Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout and Zebra Mussel by Jackson Pfeiffer

Mighty Minnow

  1. Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout by Lilly Bowley
First Place Mighty Minnow - Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout by Lilly Bowley

Native Trout

  1. Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout by Kevin Villa
First Place Native Trout - Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout by Kevin Villa

SGCN

  1. Southern Redbelly Dace by Claire Lee
First Place SGCN - Southern Redbelly Dace by Claire Lee

New Mexico Fish Art Contest – “The Art of Conservation”

Below is the 2026 Competition. Stay tuned for 2027 info.

All students in grades K-12 are invited to submit artwork highlighting fish species found in New Mexico. Entries must be scanned and then entered using the online entry form.

Entries will be judged by a panel in March. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be given out for the following grade categories:

K-3 • 4-6 • 7-9 • 10-12


Fish Species: Fish found in New Mexico only. A list of fish can be found below.

Submission Process: All entries must be scanned and uploaded to the online entry form. Please scan all artwork.

Entry Deadline: January 31, 2026

Additional Awards Available:

i. Invader Crusader Award: artwork features a native and invasive species found in the student’s local area (all aquatic species).

ii. Mighty Minnow Award: celebrates kindergarten participants.

iii. New Mexico Native Trout Award: Celebrating outstanding artwork that highlights New Mexico’s unique native trout species, Gila trout or Rio Grande Cutthroat trout, symbols of our state’s wild waters and conservation heritage. This award honors creativity that captures the beauty, biology and spirit of native trout found only in our mountain streams.

iv. New Mexico Species of Greatest Conservation Need: This award recognizes artwork that best represents New Mexico’s fish listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) — animals identified by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish as being most at risk and in need of proactive conservation. These species depend on healthy habitats and dedicated stewardship to thrive. The winning piece will highlight the importance of protecting New Mexico’s diverse and vulnerable wildlife. A list of SGCN fish can be found below.

v. Outdoor Show Fan Favorites: All submitted artwork will be displayed at the New Mexico Outdoor Adventures Show on Feb 13-15, 2026 held at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. Outdoor Adventure Show attendees will be able to cast their votes, and a ‘Fan Favorite’ for each grade category will be given out. NOTE: This is not the official judging event. Official judging will take place in March.

Questions? Contact Curt Coffman – dgf-aquaticed@dgf.nm.gov

Click image to see entire list

fish list for art contest

Click image to see entire list

Fish list for art contest

Enter the Art of Conservation Fish Contest.
(Please include Submission Year, Student Name, and Grade Level)

Find more information here.