Peterson claims spot on derby leaderboard

SANDPOINT — There's a new leader at the top of Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club's rainbow division.

Jesse Peterson hooked their way to the top of the leaderboard with a 21.25-pound, 35-inch rainbow, knocking John Levanduski to second. Levanduski had lead the division with a 19.3-pound rainbow since the derby's second place. In third place is Dave Gillespie with a 19.2-pound fish and in fourth is Travis Miller with a 19.1-pound fish.

The leaderboard in the mackinaw division remained unchanged as Derek Blanchard leads anglers in the division with a 17-pound fish measuring 35 inches that he caught on the derby's second day. In second place is Gale Belgarde Sr. with a 12.75-pound fish, followed by Jack Wilkinson who caught his way onto the leaderboard with a 12.25-pound mackinaw that measured 32 inches. 

In fourth is Dan Spinosa with an 11.7-pound fish, Jacob Jones with a 11.6-pound mackinaw in fifth and Jim Carothers with a 9.6-pound mackinaw in sixth. In seventh place is Annie Beardslee with a 9.25-pound mackinaw, followed by Randy Shelton in eighth with a 8.45-pound mackinaw, Scott Plue with a 8.1-pound mackinaw is ninth and Ken Oveson is tenth with a 7.75-pound mackinaw.

In the Junior Division, Caylee Laybourne took over the top spot in the division with a 12-pound, 32-inche rainbow that was released. Dropping to second is Carly Laybourne with a 10.95-pound, 29-inch rainbow trout. She later released the fish. In third 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. Owen Peterson caught his way onto the leader board with a 30-inch rainbow that he released, followed by Colton Laybourne who caught a 29-inch rainbow on the derby's second day that he released.

Leading the Youth B division is Owen Belgarde who caught a 13.7-pound mackinaw that measured 31 3/4 inches. Knoxx Lee caught their way to second place with a 29 1/2-inch rainbow that was released. In third place is Dalton Belgarde with a 25-inch mackinaw.

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 7 unofficial results

Adult Rainbow Trout

1. Jesse Peterson, 21.25 pounds, 35 inches. 2. John Levanduski, 19.3, 33. 3. Dave Gillespie, 19.20, 34 1/2. 4. Travis Miller, 19.10, 32 3/4 inches (released).

Adult Mackinaw

1.Derek Blanchard, 17.0 pounds, 35 inches. 2. Gale Belgarde Sr., 12.75, 30. 3. Jack Wilkinson, 12.25, 32. 4. Dan Spinosa, 11.70, 30 3/4. 5. Jacob Jones, 11.60, 31 1/2. 6. Jim Carothers, 9.60, 28 1/4. 7. Annie Beardslee, 9.2, 29. 8. Randy Shelton, 8.45, 27 1/2. 9. Scott Plue, 8.10, 27 1/2. 10. Ken Oveson, 7.75, 27 3/4.

Junior Division 

1. Caylee Laybourne, 12 pounds, 32 inches, rainbow (released). 2. Carly Laybourne, 10.95 pounds, 29 inches, rainbow (released). 3. Abigail Belgarde, 1.15, 17, mackinaw.

Youth A Division

1. Bentley Landingham, 30-inch rainbow (released). 2. Owen Peterson, 30-inch rainbow (released). 3. Colton Laybourne,  29-inch rainbow (released).

Youth B Division 

1. Owen Belgarde, 13.70 pounds, 31 3/4 inches, mackinaw. 2. Knoxx Lee, 29 1/2 inches, rainbow (released). 3. Dalton Belgarde, 25 inches, mackinaw.

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

May 1 — Annie Beardslee, 9.25 pounds