The Lake Pend Oreille Spring Derby draws anglers to northern Idaho each April for kokanee salmon and rainbow trout

The Lake Pend Oreille Spring Derby is an annual fishing tournament held on Idaho's largest lake, typically in mid-April. The event runs for one day and focuses on kokanee salmon and rainbow trout — the two species that bite hardest in spring when the water is still cold and fish are active in shallower zones. Entry is open to anyone with a valid Idaho fishing license, and the tournament charges a modest entry fee per boat or angler, depending on how the organizers structure that year's event.

The derby matters because it brings together people who fish Lake Pend Oreille seriously and people who want to learn how to fish it well. You will see boats using downriggers to reach kokanee at depth, trollers working the shallows for rainbows, and anglers jigging structure where the fish hold. The tournament format — weigh-in at a set time and place — creates a natural gathering point where you can watch how different techniques work and talk to people who fish this lake year-round.

Key Takeaways

  • The Lake Pend Oreille Spring Derby runs one day in mid-April and targets kokanee salmon and rainbow trout with an entry fee per boat or angler.
  • Kokanee in spring are found at 40 to 80 feet deep using downriggers, while rainbows often stay shallower and respond to trolling and jigging.
  • You need a current Idaho fishing license and a boat or space in someone else's boat to fish the tournament.
  • The weigh-in location and exact date change year to year, so contact the event organizer or check the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website for current details.

Where to Find the Current Derby Date and Rules

The Lake Pend Oreille Spring Derby is organized by a local fishing club or chamber of commerce rather than by the state, so the details live with whoever runs it that year. The best first step is to contact the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce or search for "Lake Pend Oreille Spring Derby" along with the current year — that will point you to whoever is handling registration and weigh-in for this season.

Once you find the organizer, you will learn the exact date (usually mid-April but not always), the entry fee, whether you can fish solo or must be in a boat, and where the weigh-in happens. Some years the derby runs from sunrise to a set afternoon time; other years it may be shorter. The rules about which fish count, minimum size, and how ties are broken also come from the organizer, not from state law, so read those carefully before you pay.

What Fish to Target and Where They Live in Spring

Kokanee salmon are the signature spring fish on Lake Pend Oreille. In April, they are spawning or preparing to spawn, and they move into deeper water — typically 40 to 80 feet down depending on the day and the light. They respond best to small spoons and spinners trolled behind a downrigger, which lets you keep your lure at the exact depth where the fish are holding. Kokanee are also aggressive in spring, so you will often feel a solid strike rather than a tentative bite.

Rainbow trout stay shallower in spring, often in the top 20 to 40 feet, especially early in the morning and late in the day. They will take trolled spoons and spinners, but they also respond well to jigging — dropping a small jig or spoon straight down to structure like rocky points or drop-offs and working it with a steady lift-and-drop rhythm. Rainbows in spring are hungry and will chase a moving lure, so you do not need to be subtle.

Both species bite better in the early morning and the last hour or two before weigh-in, so plan your day around those windows. Midday fishing is slower, though you can still catch fish if you stay deep and keep moving to find active schools.

Gear and Tackle for the Derby

For kokanee, bring a medium-action rod paired with a downrigger — either a manual crank model or an electric one, depending on your boat and budget. Spool your reel with 8 to 12-pound monofilament or braided line; the braid sinks faster and gives you better feel at depth. Attach a small spoon (size 1 to 2) or spinner to a short leader, then clip that to your downrigger cable. Kokanee spoons in silver, chartreuse, or orange work well in spring.

For rainbows, a medium-light rod and a conventional or spinning reel will work. Use 6 to 10-pound line and tie on a small spoon, spinner, or jig. If you plan to jig, bring several jigs in the 1/8 to 1/4-ounce range — they should flutter down slowly and feel responsive to your rod tip. Keep your tackle simple and your lures small; Lake Pend Oreille fish in spring are not looking for large baits.

Bring extra line, extra leaders, and extra lures in case you lose tackle to snags or aggressive fish. A net rated for the size of fish you expect will make landing and handling faster and safer for the fish.

How to Fish Lake Pend Oreille in Spring Without a Boat

If you do not own a boat, you have two options for the derby. The first is to find another angler who is fishing the tournament and ask for a spot in their boat — many anglers fish with a partner or crew, and some have room for one more. Post on local fishing forums, call tackle shops in Sandpoint, or ask at the registration table the morning of the derby. People who fish Lake Pend Oreille seriously are usually willing to take someone along if you are respectful and ready to work.

The second option is to fish from shore or a dock if the derby rules allow it. Lake Pend Oreille has public access points, and some tournaments allow shore fishing as a separate category. Check the rules when you register to see whether shore fishing counts toward the tournament or whether you need to be in a boat to compete.

Handling and Keeping Fish from Lake Pend Oreille

Kokanee and rainbow trout from Lake Pend Oreille are both good eating, and the spring derby gives you a reason to take home what you catch. Keep your fish on ice in a cooler as soon as you land them — the cold slows spoilage and keeps the meat firm. If you are fishing all day, change the ice at midday if you can.

Kokanee are small (usually 10 to 14 inches) and have delicate flesh that bruises easily, so handle them gently and ice them quickly. Rainbow trout are tougher and keep well. Both fish should be cleaned and gutted within a few hours of being caught. If you are new to cleaning fish, ask someone at the weigh-in — people who fish tournaments are usually happy to show you how, and it takes only a few minutes once you know the steps.

What Happens at Weigh-In and After

Weigh-in is usually held at a central location — often a boat launch or a local business that sponsors the event — and happens at a set time in the afternoon. Bring your fish in a cooler or on a stringer, and have your tournament registration or entry ticket ready. The organizer will weigh your catch, record it, and announce the winners. Prizes vary by year but typically include cash, tackle, or gift certificates to local shops.

After weigh-in, you can take your fish home to cook or give away. Some tournaments have a community fish fry afterward, where anglers cook and share their catch — if yours does, it is a good way to meet other people who fish the lake and to learn how they prepare kokanee and rainbow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my own boat to fish the Lake Pend Oreille Spring Derby?

No. You can share a boat with another angler or ask around at the registration table the morning of the event. Some tournaments also allow shore fishing as a separate category, so check the rules when you register to see what options are available.

What is the best lure for kokanee in April?

Small spoons in silver, chartreuse, or orange work best when trolled behind a downrigger at 40 to 80 feet deep. Kokanee in spring are aggressive and will chase a moving lure, so focus on keeping your spoon at the right depth rather than worrying about exact color.

Can I fish the derby if I have never fished Lake Pend Oreille before?

Yes. The derby is open to anyone with a valid Idaho fishing license. If you are new to the lake, arrive early and talk to other anglers at the launch — they can point you toward good fishing spots and tell you what is working that day.

What time does the derby start and end?

The exact start and end times change year to year. Contact the event organizer or check the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website for the current schedule. Most spring derbies run from sunrise to mid-afternoon, but confirm before you go.

Is Lake Pend Oreille safe for small boats in April?

Lake Pend Oreille is large and can have rough water in spring, especially if the wind picks up. Wear a life jacket, check the weather forecast the night before, and do not venture out if conditions look unsafe. Talk to local anglers about which parts of the lake are calmer in April.