For the City Times

Online voting is now underway for the Great Lakes Salmon and Trout Stamp and the Inland Trout Stamp contests organized by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

With 13 submissions including eight in the inland category and five in the Great Lakes category, the voting will continue through July 20. The top five designs from each category will advance for consideration by a panel of judges.

The judges will decide the first, second and third place winners and the winning designs will then be displayed August 4 through the 14 at the Wisconsin State Fair.

“We’re impressed by the quality of this year’s entries,” said Joanna Griffin, DNR trout coordinator. “The pieces capture the fish in beautiful natural settings and depict them swimming freely or tempted by anglers’ lures.”

Voting is available online by visiting DNR.wi.gov and searching “trout and salmon stamp contest.” The ballot is also accessible via DNR’s Facebook page.

Entries in the current contests were limited to those ages 18 and older — youth contests are planned for the 2018 editions. DNR’s fisheries program first conducted the inland trout stamp contest in 1978 and the Great Lakes trout and salmon stamp contest in 1982. Griffin said after a hiatus of several years, DNR’s fisheries program decided to launch the contests again to capture a new generation of creative talent.

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.

An annual fishing license costs $20 while an inland trout stamp or Great Lakes trout and salmon stamp both run $10. To learn about other licensing options and discounts or to purchase your license, visit GoWild.wi.gov.