Hugo Artist Wins 2012 Minn. Trout Stamp Contest

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A Hugo artist is the winner of the 2012 Minnesota Trout and Salmon Stamp contest.

Nicholas T. Markell's painting of a rainbow trout was the winning design of 17 entries in the annual stamp contest.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sponsors the contest. No prizes are offered, but the winner retains reprint reproduction rights to the work.

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

The DNR sells about 95,000 stamps each year.

Rainbow trout designs are not eligible for the 2013 stamp. Species that are eligible are brook, brown, splake and lake trout, and coho, pink, Chinook and Atlantic salmon.

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