SANDPOINT — Two new anglers found their way onto the leaderboard of the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club's spring fishing derby.

Nathan Hansen pulled in a 17.9-pound rainbow that measured 35 1/2 inches to claim second place. Also, Dan Covey hooked a 16.05-pound rainbow that measured 33 1/2 inches to claim the fourth-place spot. Both fish were released after being measured and weighed.

Leading the rainbow division is Tim Faiers, who caught an 18-pound, 33-inch fish on opening day. He later released the fish after it was measured and weighed.

Bert Dennett continues to hold the top spot in the mackinaw division after hooking a 20.20-pound, 36 1/4-pound mack, 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.

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.

Dalton Belgarde has the lead in the Youth B Division with a 27 1/4-inch mackinaw, taking over the top spot from Owen Bergarde who caught a 21-inch Mack, 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.

John Mace leads in the German brown trout division with a fish weighing 10.2 pounds and measuring 30 inches.

Taking over the lead for the Mr. Nick Naccarato Memorial Award is Dalton Belgarde with his 7.2-pound, 27 1/4-inch mackinaw.

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

April 30, 2026 — Day 6 

Adult Rainbow Division

1. Tim Faiers, 18.00 pounds, 33 inches (released); 2. Nathan Hansen, 17.90, 35 1/2 (released); 3. Roger Blackstone, 16.65, 34 1/2 (released); 4. Dan Covey, 16.05, 33 1/2 (released).

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. Dalton Belgarde, 27 1/4 inches, mackinaw; 2. Owen Belgarde, 27, 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

April 30 — Jim Carothers, 10.15

German Brown Trout

John Mace, 10.20 pounds, 30 inches.

Mr. Nick Naccarato Memorial Award

Dalton Belgarde, 7.20 pounds, 27 1/4 inches, mackinaw.