Northwest Tech celebrates 60th anniversary with ice fishing derby

Students and alumni gather for annual event on frozen lake near Bemidji campus.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Minnesota is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and as part of the festivities, the school hosted an ice fishing derby on a nearby frozen lake. The event was a major topic of interest among students, who were excited to participate alongside alumni and faculty.

Why it matters

The ice fishing derby is a long-standing tradition at Northwest Tech, bringing together the campus community to celebrate the school's history and legacy. As a technical college, Northwest Tech plays an important role in providing vocational training and career-focused education to students in the Bemidji region.

The details

The ice fishing derby featured prizes for the largest fish caught, as well as other competitions and activities. Students and alumni gathered on the frozen lake, drilling holes and casting their lines in hopes of reeling in the big one. The event was seen as a fun way to mark the college's 60th year and foster camaraderie among the Northwest Tech community.

  • Northwest Technical College was founded in 1966.
  • The ice fishing derby took place on February 10, 2026.

The players

Grant Malecha

A current student at Northwest Technical College who was excited to participate in the ice fishing derby alongside his classmates.

Northwest Technical College

A public technical college located in Bemidji, Minnesota that is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“It was definitely a very high topic of interest. Everybody was like, 'Hey, we're all going and doing it.' So a bunch of my classmates are here.”

— Grant Malecha, Student (The Bemidji Pioneer)

What’s next

Northwest Technical College plans to continue the ice fishing derby as an annual tradition, bringing together students, alumni, and the broader Bemidji community to celebrate the school's history and community.

The takeaway

The ice fishing derby at Northwest Technical College demonstrates how the school fosters a strong sense of community and tradition, even as it evolves to meet the changing needs of technical education in the 21st century.