Area ice fishing enthusiasts gathered at Bemidji’s Diamond Point Park on Jan. 26 to participate in the third annual student-run “Beaver Freeze” tournament, co-hosted by Bemidji State University’s Outdoor Program Center and Department of Campus Recreation.

Baylee Johnson, a senior aquatic biology student from Bemidji, Minn. helped establish the Beaver Freeze in 2017 and worked with Bemidji State’s American Fisheries Society to coordinate the 2019 event.

“The annual Beaver Freeze Ice Fishing Tournament is a student-driven event that is focused on giving back to BSU students and bringing the Bemidji community together with the popular sport of ice fishing,” Johnson said. “This event provides an affordable chance to win quality prizes to help keep appreciation of the outdoors alive for a lifetime.”

This year’s event drew 95 participants. 85 fish were registered with the largest being a 4.2 pound Northern Pike.