Levanduski, Spinosa lead LPOIC derby

SANDPOINT — With sunshine aplenty, plenty of lines were thrown into the lake as the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club kicked off Saturday.

Taking the top spot on the leader board in the derby's opening day in the rainbow division was John Levanduski, who caught a 19.3-pound, 33-inch fish to claim the inaugural derby lead for the 2025 derby.

Claiming second spot in the division was JoAnn Edmiston, who caught a 15.9-pound rainbow measuring 33 3/4 inches; in third spot is Reubin Ross, who caught a 14.6-pound rainbow measuring 32 inches. In fourth was Charles Joyner with a 13.8-pound fish measuring 33 3/4 inches.

In the mackinaw division, Dan Spinosa caught a 11.7-pound, 30 3/4-inch fish to top opening day honors.

Claiming second spot in the division was Jim Carothers, who caught a 9.6-pound, 28 1/4-inch mackinaw; in third spot is Ken Oveson, who caught a 7.75-pound mackinaw measuring 27 3/4 inches. In fourth place is Jeff Payne  with a 7.55-pound, 27-inch fish; in fifth place is Miah Kohal, 6.75-pound, 25 1/2-inch fish; in sixth is Justin Ziegler with a 5.7-pound, 27-inch fish; in seventh is Gale Belgarde Sr. with a 5.7-pound, 25 1/2-inch fish; in eighth is Matthew Mercuio  with a 4.55-pound, 24-inch fish; and in ninth is Mike Fisher with a 3.4-pound, 21-inch fish.

Leading the Youth A division is Bentley Landingham, who caught a 30-inch rainbow before releasing it. In second is Thomas Landingham, who caught a 24 3/4-inch rainbow that was released. In third is Thomas Landingham, who caught a 21-inch mackinaw.

In the Youth B division, Aurelia Shelton took top honors with a 21-inch rainbow that was released. Following in second is William Mason who caught a 19 1/2-inch rainbow that was released. 

In the German Brown division, taking top honors is Adam Arthur who caught a 7.3-pound, 25 1/2-inch fish.

The nine-day derby, which will run through 4 p.m. Sunday, May 4, offers the chance to hook some serious prizes.

The club's Dave Gillespie said this year's spring derby looks to feature some beautiful spring weather with forecasts call for the first three days to offer sunshine and temperatures in the low 70s.

"The question is will the fish like lots of sun and high pressure. It will be great boating weather," Gillespie said.

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

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

Fish must be a minimum of 32 inches.

In the adult mackinaw division, the top angler nets a $1,200 prize, second $800, third $600, fourth $400, and fifth $200. Prizes are also given to anglers who place sixth through 10th. A $150 prize is giving to the angler in the adult division who catches the largest mackinaw each day.

Junior Division anglers have a chance to claim their own bragging rights and is open to youth between the ages of 13 and 20. 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 successful catch and release of a placing rainbow and a $50 member bonus.

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.

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 to take part in the derby; however, they must pre-register.

Information: lpoic.org

Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club

2025 Spring Derby

Day 1 unofficial results

Adult Rainbow Trout

1. John Levanduski, 19.3 pounds, 33 inches. 2. JoAnn Edmiston, 15.9, 33 3/4. 3. Reubin Ross, 14.6, 32. 4. Charles Joyner, 13.80, 33 3/4.

Adult Mackinaw

1. Dan Spinosa, 11.70 pounds, 30 3/4 inches. 2. Jim Carothers, 9.60, 28 1/4. 3. Ken Oveson, 7.75, 27 3/4. 4. Jeff Payne, 7.55, 27. 5. Miah Kohal, 6.75, 25 1/2. 6. Justin Ziegler, 5.70, 27. 7. Gale Belgarde Sr.,  5.70, 25 1/2. 8. Matthew Mercuio, 4.55, 24. 9. Mike Fisher, 3.40, 21.

Youth A

1. Bentley Landingham, rainbow, 30 inches (released). 2. Thomas Landingham, rainbow, 24 3/4 inches (released). 3. Rory Bonner, mackinaw, 21 inches.

Youth B

1. 1. Aurelia Shelton, rainbow, 21 inches (released). 2. William Mason, rainbow, 19 1/2 inches (released).

German brown trout

1. Adam Arthur, 7.30 pounds, 25 1/2 inches.