Levanduski, Blanchard lead LPOIC derby
Josh Shelton stands with the 22.65-pound rainbow he caught in 2024. The 34 3/4-inch fish gave Shelton top honors in the division in the 2024 Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club's spring derby. A member of the LPOIC board, Shelton can be found with his brother Brad, father Randy Shelton and other family members fishing on Lake Pend Oreille. "The three-generation group are a force to be reckoned with during any of Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club's derbies. This year's derby will wrap up on May 4 at 4 p.m. and features more than $20,000 in cash and prizes.
Photo courtesy BRAD SHELTON/LAKE PEND OREILLE IDAHO CLUB
SANDPOINT — The sun is shining and the region's anglers are catching plenty of both rainbow trout and mackinaw as the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club spring derby wraps up its sixth day.
John Levanduski continues to lead the rainbow trout division of the derby with a 19.3-pound, 33-inch fish caught on the derby's first day. In second place is Dave Gillespie who caught a 19.2-pound fish on the derby's second day; followed by Travis Miller in third with a 19.1-pound fish caught on the derby's third day. In fourth is Jack Peterson with a 16.85-pound fish, also caught on the third day.
In the mackinaw division, Derek Blanchard who pulled in a 17-pound fish measuring 35 inches on the derby's second day. In second place is Gale Belgarde Sr. with a 12.75-pound fish, followed by Dan Spinosa with an 11.7-pound fish in third, Jacob Jones with a 11.6-pound mackinaw in fourth and Jim Carothers with a 9.6-pound mackinaw in fifth. In sixth-place is Annie Beardslee with a 9.25-pound mackinaw, followed by Randy Shelton in seventh with a 8.45-pound mackinaw, Scott Plue with a 8.1-pound mackinaw in eighth, Ken Oveson with a 7.75-pound mackinaw in ninth and Jeff Payne in tenth with a 7.55-pound mackinaw.
In the Junior Division, Carly Laybourne took over the top spot in the division with a 10.95-pound, 29-inch rainbow trout. She later released the fish. In second is Abigail Belgarde who pulled in a 1.15-pound, 17-inch mackinaw on the derby's second day.
Leading the Youth A division is Bentley Landingham, who caught a 30-inch rainbow on the derby's opening day before releasing it. In second is Colton Laybourne who caught a 29-inch rainbow on the derby's second day, followed by Rory Bonner, who caught a 29-inch rainbow also that day. Both youth also released their fish.
Leading the Youth B division is Owen Belgarde who caught a 13.7-pound mackinaw that measured 31 3/4 inches. He is followed by Dalton Belgarde with a 25-inch mackinaw and by Aurelia Shelton with a 23-inch rainbow that the young angler released.
In top spot for the Mr. Nick Naccarato Memorial Award is Owen Belgarde with his 13.7-pound fish. The award, which comes with a $1,000 prize, is given for the largest mackinaw caught by a youth division contestant who is 12 years old or younger.
In the German Brown division, taking top honors is Travis Miller, who caught a 7.6-pound fish measuring 31 3/4 inches.
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. In addition, there is a $250 members bonus.
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 6 unofficial results
Adult Rainbow Trout
1. John Levanduski, 19.3 pounds, 33 inches. 2. Dave Gillespie, 19.20, 34 1/2. 3. Travis Miller, 19.10, 32 3/4 inches (released). 4. Jack Peterson, 16.85, 32 1/2.
Adult Mackinaw
1.Derek Blanchard, 17.0 pounds, 35 inches. 2. Gale Belgarde Sr., 12.75, 30. 3. Dan Spinosa, 11.70, 30 3/4. 4. Jacob Jones, 11.60, 31 1/2. 5. Jim Carothers, 9.60, 28 1/4. 6. Annie Beardslee, 9.2, 29. 7. Randy Shelton, 8.45, 27 1/2. 8. Scott Plue, 8.10, 27 1/2. 9. Ken Oveson, 7.75, 27 3/4. 10. Jeff Payne, 7.55, 27.
Junior Division
1. Carly Laybourne, 10.95 pounds, 29 inches, rainbow (released). 2. Abigail Belgarde, 1.15, 17, mackinaw.
Youth A Division
1. Bentley Landingham, 30-inch rainbow (released). 2. Colton Laybourne, 29-inch rainbow (released). 3. Rory Bonner, 29-inch rainbow (released).
Youth B Division
1st Place-Owen Belgarde 13.70 lbs 31 3/4 inch Mackinaw
2nd Place-Dalton Belgarde 25 inch Mackinaw
3rd Place-Aurelia Shelton 23 inch Rainbow Released
Mr. Nick Naccarato Memorial Award
Owen Belgarde, Youth B (7 years old) — 13.7 pounds, 31 3/4 inches
German Brown
Travis Miller — 7.60 pounds, 27 3/4 inches
Mackinaw of the Day
April 26 — Dan Spinosa, 11.7 pounds
April 27 — Derek Blanchard 17 pounds
April 28 — JoAnn Edmiston 7 pounds
April 29 — Randy Shelton, 8.45 pounds
April 30 —Gale Belgarde Sr., 12.75 pounds