FWC announces winners of 2026 Florida Fish Art Contest

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in collaboration with Wildlife Forever, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Florida Fish Art Contest. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade submitted artwork for a chance to win state and national honors plus prizes. This contest encourages students to depict native fish species in their natural Florida habitat and to learn about what those species eat and where they live.

The winning artists in each grade bracket (freshwater and saltwater) were selected by the FWC and will advance to the National Competition to be judged for top prizes, such as Best of Show.

We are excited to congratulate this year's winners! The 2026 Florida Fish Art Contest Winners are:

Grades 10-12

Winners: Emily Jin and Savannah LaViolette
Runners-Up: Jordyn Collins and Beckett Smith

Grades 7-9

Winners: Sebastian Romo and Mila Das
Runners-Up: Enni Lin and Kelly Ryan

Grades 4-6

Winners: Qingliang Zhang and Emma Zhang
Runners-Up: Amelia Chu and Jessica Ma

Grades K-3

Winners: Tristan Thomas and Chandler Watkins
Runners-Up: Maverick Thomas and Zohaan Ahmad

Visit MyFWC.com/Education and select "Florida Fish Art Contest" in the second from last section of the page then select "Winners 2026" to view all the winning artwork from this year.

"The level of talent and creativity showcased by these young artists is truly inspiring," said FWC Commissioner Sonya Rood. "The Florida Fish Art Contest provides a unique opportunity for students across the state to engage with fishing and conservation. Their artwork not only reflects impressive skill, but also a growing appreciation for Florida's native fish species and the importance of protecting them."

This program fuels creativity while cultivating the next generation of anglers and conservation stewards by encouraging them to discover and value Florida's fisheries. Learn more about the Florida Fish Art Contest and how you can participate next year at MyFWC.com/Education.