Princeton artist wins 2011 Minnesota Trout and Salmon Stamp design contest

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Princeton artist wins 2011 Minnesota Trout and Salmon Stamp design contest
(Released August 10, 2010)


An underwater scene of a brown trout with submerged tree branches in the background and a lure snagged on one of the branches has been selected as the winner of Minnesota’s 2011 trout and salmon stamp contest, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR.)

The winning entry was submitted by Donald Blakney of Princeton, who used acrylics for his design. This is the first time Blakney has won the trout and salmon contest, which is conducted annually by the DNR. Blakney, who has been an artist for more than 30 years, has won conservation stamp contests in six other states.

The design was selected from among 13 entries in this year’s trout and salmon stamp contest, held Aug. 5 at the DNR Headquarters in St. Paul. Other finalists were William Kane, Little Canada; Micah Hanson, Nodine; Todd Groess, Stillwater; and Gerald Schultz, Forest Lake.

The DNR, which conducts the annual stamp contest, offers no prizes. The winner, however, retains reprint reproduction rights to the work, which is usually reproduced as a limited edition wildlife print.

A Minnesota trout and salmon stamp is required for those who fish in designated trout streams, designated trout lakes, Lake Superior, or who possess trout and salmon. Anglers must also purchase a Minnesota fishing license.

The DNR sells approximately 95,000 stamps every year. The 2010 trout stamp costs $10, with proceeds going to trout stream habitat restoration projects, stocking trout, purchasing angling easements, and the management of Lake Superior, said Mark Ebbers, DNR rivers and stream management consultant.

Judges were Rob Drieslein, managing editor of Outdoor News; Bob Trevis, trout fishing guide; Deb Rose, DNR photographer; Ray Newman, University of Minnesota aquatic ecologist; and John Hiebert, DNR shoreland habitat consultant.



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