National Migratory Fish Award

Created in partnership with World Fish Migration Day, this award celebrates migratory fish species found across the globe. Students everywhere are invited to draw how migratory fish inspire them and to express the connection between these species and our identity as river people.

Requirements

Artwork must feature a river fish species from this list depending on where you live:

North America

  • American Shad (Alosa sapidissima)

  • Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)

  • American Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula)

  • Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

  • Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

South America

  • Piraiba (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum)

  • Pintado (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans)

  • Curimbata (Prochilodus Lineatus)

  • Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis)

Northern Asia

  • Taimen (Hucho taimen)

  • Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis)

  • Japanese huchen (Hucho perryi)

  • Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)

Africa

  • African Longfin Eel (Anguilla mossambica)

  • Largemouth yellowfish (Labeobarbus kimberleyensis)

  • Goliath tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath)

  • Nile perch (Lates niloticus)

  • Senegal Carp (Labeo senegalensis)

  • Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

Europe

  • European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)

  • Allis shad (Alosa alosa)

  • Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser sturio)

  • Three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

  • Sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta)

  • Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

  • Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)

  • Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius)

Southern Asia

  • Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha)

  • Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas)

  • Chinese pangasius catfish (Pangasius krempfi)

  • Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

  • Longfin eel (Anguilla reinhardtii)

  • Golden mahseer (Tor putitora)

Austrailia & New Zealand

  • Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua)

  • Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii)

  • Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata)

  • Common galaxias (Galaxias maculatus)

  • Shortfin eel (Anguilla australis)

null

Prizes

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be awarded in all four age categories: Kindergarten – 3rd grade (5-9 years old), 4th-6th grade (9-12 years old), 7th-9th grade (12-15 years old), and 10th-12th grade (15-18 years old).

The Dutch Angling Union and McMillen will be providing prizes for the winners - to be determined excatly what!

About the World Fish Migration Day

On May 23, 2026, the world will celebrate World Fish Migration Day—a one-day global event that raises awareness about the importance of freshwater migratory fish and free-flowing rivers. Thousands of organizations, schools, and communities host events that educate and inspire people about migratory fish and our shared dependence on healthy, free-flowing waterways. This year’s theme, We Are River People, highlights the cultural and spiritual significance of fish and rivers in our lives.