SANDPOINT — There's a new leader atop the mackinaw division of Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club's 81st iteration of its spring fishing derby.

Bert Dennett hooked a 20.20-pound, 36 1/4-pound mackinaw to claim top spot in the division, taking over from Scott Plue, who caught a 19.8-pound, 37-inch mack on Monday. In third is John Cosolito, who opened the derby with a 17.50-pound, 36-inch mack to hold the lead until being dethroned by Plue.

Leading the rainbow division is Tim Faiers, who caught an 18-pound, 33-inch fish on opening day. Following in third is Roger Blackstone, who caught his way onto the leaderboard on Monday with a 16.65-pound, 32-inch rainbow. In third is Alan Sweet who caught a 15.85-pound, 32-inch rainbow trout on opening day. All three fish were released after being weighed and measured.

Sitting at the top of the Youth A Division is Colton Laybourne with a 31 1/2-inch rainbow,  followed by Weston Fournier with a 30-inch rainbow and Ember Shelton with a 26 1/2-inch rainbow. All three later released the trout.

Owen Belgarde is in the lead in the Youth B Division with a 27-inch mackinaw. In second is Dalton Bergarde with a 21 1/2-inch Mack and in third is Taylor Davenport with a 21-inch rainbow that was released.

Fisher LaRue is in the lead in the Junior Division with an 11.85-pound rainbow that measured 31 3/4 inches. In second is Lyla Shelton with a 7.10-pound, 28 1/4-inch rainbow. Both fish were later released.

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.  

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.  

Information: lpoic.org

LPOIC SPRING DERBY

Day 5 results

Adult Rainbow Division

1. Tim Faiers, 18.00 pounds, 33 inches (released); 2. Roger Blackstone, 16.65, 34 1/2 (released); 3. Alan Sweet, 15.85, 32 (released); 4. Mark Townsend, 15.15, 32 1/2

Adult Mackinaw Division

1. Bert Dennett, 20.20 pounds, 36 1/4 inches; 2. Scott Plue, 19.80, 37; 3. John Cosolito, 17.50, 36; 4. Jeff Baugh, 16.85, 33; 5. Brad Sturgis, 16.25, 34; 6. Marcus Hull, 14.50, 32; 7. Phil Lamothe, 13, 32; 8. Brad Roberts, 12.35, 30; 9. Scott Knoles, 12.35, 31 1/2; 10. John Levanduski, 11.85, 30 1/2

Youth A Division

1. Colton Laybourne, 31 1/2 inches, rainbow (released); 2. Weston Fournier, 30, rainbow (released); 3. Ember Shelton, 26 1/2, rainbow (released)

Youth B Division

1. Owen Belgarde, 27 inches, mackinaw; 2. Dalton Belgarde, 21 1/2, mackinaw; 3. Taylor Davenport, 21, rainbow (released).

Junior Division

1. Fisher LaRue, 11.85 pounds, 31 3/4 inches, rainbow (released); 2. Lyla Shelton, 7.10, 28 1/4, rainbow (released)

Adult Mack of the Day

April 25 — John Cosolito, 17.50 pounds

April 26 — Marcus Hull, 14.50

April 27 — Scott Plue, 19.80

April 28 — Scott Knoles, 12.35

April 29 — Bert Dennett, 20.20

German Brown Trout

John Mace, 10.20 pounds, 30 inches

Mr. Nick Naccarato Memorial Award

Owen Belgarde, 6.55 pounds, 27 inches, mackinaw