December 23, 2002

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife announces its third annual Fish Art and Writing Contest. The contest was designed to encourage youngsters in grades 4 through 8 to learn about the variety of fish found in the Garden State as well as the integral role each plays in the quality of life here in New Jersey.

For the art portion of the contest, youngsters should submit an original drawing depicting a New Jersey fish in its habitat with a short biography of the fish depicted in the drawing.

The winners in each age category are invited to the Division's Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center in Warren County for a VIP tour and chance to fish with the governor on Opening Day of Trout Season, April 12, 2003. Last April, Governor James McGreevey, DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell and Division Director Bob McDowell were on hand to personally congratulate each of the winners as they fished in the facility's Fishing Education Pond.

Of the more than 90 people who fished at the pond on opening day, more than half caught fish, many in the five to ten pound range. After fishing, the winners received plaques and fishing equipment at a special awards luncheon sponsored by the New Jersey Council of Trout Unlimited.

Contest rules and winning artwork from the 2002 contest can be found on the Division's website at www.njfishandwildlife.com/fishart.htm. Kids can also receive a notice about the contest, by calling the hatchery at 908-637-4125.