A Guaranteed Catch for Kids

Kids can earn a free fishing lure by visiting select Walmart stores, entering State-Fish Art Contest

Youngsters who visit select Walmart stores during FLW’s National Fishing & Boating Week kickoff event, June 5-7, will receive a free Largemouth Bass Trading Card from an FLW Ambassador as part of the annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest. A code is printed on each card, and if it’s written on the back on a 2016 State-Fish Art entry, the youngster will receive a free fishing lure.

FLW, the title sponsor of the State-Fish Art program, helped Wildlife Forever with the baseball card-sized “Bass Card” for kids visiting Walmart.

“We’re proud to announce that young anglers [grades K-12] entering the State-Fish Art Contest will receive free fishing lures. The ‘Guaranteed Catch’ incentive works to increase participation in the contest and engage youth in fishing,” says Patterson Leeth, FLW’s vice president of marketing. Entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2016 and mailed to Wildlife Forever to qualify.

In its 18th year, the State-Fish Art Contest is open to all students in grades kindergarten through 12. To enter the State-Fish Art Contest, students create their favorite State-Fish artwork and write a one-page essay about the fish’s behavior, habitat and efforts to conserve it. Complete details, including a free lesson plan for teachers and parents, are on the State-Fish Art Contest website, statefishart.org. Artists who win first place in each state, from four grade categories (K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12) will be invited to attend the national State-Fish Art EXPO held in conjunction with the Forrest Wood Cup. Prizes, trophies, recognition and family-oriented events await the winners and their families at the world championship of bass fishing.

“The State-Fish Art Contest integrates science and art to educate students about fish, fishing and the joys found in an afternoon spent on a lake or stream,” notes Karen Hollingsworth, State-Fish Art manager. “Each State-Fish Art entry with the secret code is a ‘Guaranteed Catch,’ and receiving a free lure will encourage hands-on experience in the great outdoors.”

“FLW is proud to sponsor the State-Fish Art Contest and to introduce kids to the joys of fish and fishing,” adds Leeth. “The State-Fish Art Contest helps pass on our angling heritage to the next generation, and that goal is a priority for FLW.”