Alborn artist Dean Kegler won the Minnesota trout and salmon stamp contest with an acrylic painting of a brook trout, and Bemidji artist Sam Larsen won the walleye stamp contest (above) with an acrylic painting of a walleye. Both contests happened virtually on Aug. 3, 2023.

In the trout and salmon stamp contest, which had 10 eligible submissions, the runner-up was Ronald Engebretson of Owatonna with a watercolor/color pencil submission of a brown trout.  Third place went to Josh Evan of Mapleton with an acrylic submission of a brook trout.

In the walleye stamp contest, which had 11 eligible submissions, the runner-up was Stuart Nelson of Cloquet with an acrylic submission of a walleye. Third place went to Stephen Hamrick of Lakeville with an acrylic painting of a walleye.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources uses revenue from voluntary purchases of walleye stamps to purchase walleye for stocking in Minnesota’s lakes. Revenue from trout and salmon stamps, which are required for anglers ages 18-64 who fish in designated trout water or possess trout, is dedicated to trout and salmon management and habitat work. Visit the stamp page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/stamps) for more information about habitat stamps and contest guidelines.