100% Wisconsin Fish Contest
Help unlock the potential of Wisconsin’s fisheries! Every part of a food fish can have value. The Eat Wisconsin Fish Initiative invites you to imagine bold, creative ways to use more parts of a commercially or personally harvested Wisconsin fish. From innovative products to sustainable solutions, we want your ideas that go beyond traditional food use.
Great Lakes Gear Award ($250 value) — Arctic cooler, fish cleaning gear and Wisconsin Sea Grant fish poster
Explorer Award ($50 value) — Wisconsin state park pass, hat and Wisconsin Sea Grant fish poster
Innovation Award ($25 value) — two mugs and Wisconsin Sea Grant fish poster
Deadline for entry: October 24, 2025; 11:59pm (CT)
Contest Details
Why are we doing this?
The Wisconsin Great Lakes region is home to vibrant fisheries that support local communities and economies. By thinking differently about how to use more parts fish, we can:
- Reduce waste and increase sustainability
- Create new economic ventures and opportunities in Wisconsin and across the Great Lakes
- Strengthen rural and coastal communities through innovation
What do you need to get started?
Entering is simple – you don’t need extensive fishery knowledge, and you don’t need to be a scientist, engineer or business owner. All you need is:
- An idea – think about new ways to use the whole fish, beyond just filets.
- A short description of your idea – less than 500 words (about 1-2 paragraphs)
- Visual aid (optional) – A sketch, photo, diagram, or short video of your idea (not required, but helpful if you have one).
- Connection to Wisconsin and the Great Lakes – show how your idea could benefit our lakes, fisheries, or communities.
Who can enter?
100% Wisconsin Fish Contest is open to:
- Residents of Wisconsin
- Individuals of all backgrounds
- Students and young professionals – entries from participants under the age of 18 are welcome with parental/guardian consent.
- Individuals/Teams – you can submit your idea as a group or on your own (only one prize will be awarded per winning entry)
- Employees of Wisconsin Sea Grant and their family members are ineligible (Sorry!)
- One entry per person
That’s it! Share your concept big or small, every idea helps inspire new ways to appreciate 100% of Wisconsin fish. Bring your best idea forward and help be the future of innovation in commercial fisheries, everything is valued!
Judging: Entries will be judged on a 100-point scale, awarding points in the following categories …
- Usefulness (40 points) – Does the idea have practical value for communities, businesses, or the environment?
- Feasibility (30 points) – Could the idea realistically be developed or applied?
- Creativity (20 points) – How original and inventive is your idea?
- Regional Importance (10 points) – How well does this idea connect to Great Lakes sustainability? How does it benefit our lakes, fisheries, or communities?
Disclaimer: By submitting an entry to the 100% Wisconsin Fish Contest, participants affirm that their submission is their own original work. Entrants retain ownership of their ideas but grant the contest organizers permission to share submissions publicly for educational, outreach, or promotional purposes. Contest organizers are not obligated to develop or implement submitted ideas, and no financial compensation will be provided beyond the stated prizes. Personal information collected will be used solely for contest administration and communication with participants and will not be shared with outside parties. All judging decisions are final, and prizes are non-transferable. Contest organizers are not responsible for incomplete, late, or technical submission issues. By participating, entrants agree to these terms and acknowledge that the challenge is intended to encourage creativity and highlight sustainable opportunities for Wisconsin and Great Lakes fisheries.
This contest is organized by the Eat Wisconsin Fish Initiative of the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Program with funding from the Conference of the Great Lakes Governors and Premiers. Direct questions to Sharon Moen, Food-fish Outreach Coordinator, Wisconsin Sea Grant: smoen@aqua.wisc.edu.