Anglers may want to leave the bananas at home this weekend as they cast for more than $20,000 in prizes at the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club spring derby.

The derby runs through May 3 and is open to anglers of all ages, with divisions for mackinaw and rainbow trout.

First place in the rainbow division comes with a $5,000 prize. Second place nets a $2,500 prize, third a $1,500 prize and fourth a $750 prize.  

There is a $250 member bonus as well as a $500 catch-and-release bonus for placing a rainbow that is successfully released after weighing in. 

First place in the mackinaw division brings with it a $1,200 prize, second for $800, third for $600, fourth for $400 and fifth for $200. Prizes are also given to anglers who place sixth through 10th. 

Additional prizes will be available, including a $150 corporate bonus for the highest placing rainbow, $150 for the largest German brown caught, among several other opportunities.  

Fish must be a minimum of 32 inches. 

Junior Division anglers between the ages of 13 and 17 will also have their own chance to claim victory. Rainbows must be at least 28 inches in length, while mackinaws can be of any size. 

First place wins $500, second is $400, third is $300 and fourth is $200. There is a $100 bonus for the successful catch-and-release of placing rainbows. 

Youth A and Youth B divisions offer younger anglers a chance to get in on the fun, with prizes and trophies offered to youth who finish in the top three of each division. Youth A is open to youngsters between the ages of 9 and 12 years old; Youth B is open to those from 0 to 8 years old. 

Contestants 12 and under will be eligible to win a $500 prize for the Mr. Nick Naccarato Memorial Award, given to the youth angler with the largest mackinaw caught.  

The entry fee for adults is $60, while the entry fee for the junior division is $10. There is no charge for youth division participants; however, they must pre-register. 

A tradition for over 70 years, the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club derbies have been a staple in the community since the first derbies started in 1947. The tradition started after the 1940s planting of Gerrard rainbows from Canada, bringing the fish to Lake Pend Oreille.  

Numerous area businesses are serving as ticket outlets for the derby, including those in Sandpoint, Ponderay, Bayview and Coeur d'Alene. Those interested in joining the club and signing up for the derby can do both at these locations. Ticket outlets will display the LPOIC derby poster at the front of the store. 

Information: lpoic.org