Friss, Kazemba winners at Koocanusa Resort Fishing Derby

Nearly 300 anglers competed in the 2025 Lake Koocanusa Fishing Derby.

The winners of the 21st Annual Fishing Derby, held May 17-18 at Koocanusa Resort and Marina, display their catches. 

Wendy Friss, first place rainbow trout, 10 pounds, 13 ounces, won $2,009; Brent William, second place rainbow trout, 9 pounds, 8 ounces, won $1,435; Earl Shuman third place rainbow trout, 9 pounds, 4 ounces, won $1,148; Richard Buti, fourth place rainbow trout, 9 pounds, .05 ounces won $574; Easton Gilmore, fifth place rainbow trout, 8 pounds, 3 ounces won $344; Randy Verdal, sixth place rainbow trout, 7 pounds, 4.9 ounces won $229. 

The Kokanee are a combined weight of 20. First place went to Deana Kazemba with 3 pounds, 3 ounces. She won $718, second place went to Kristy Whitney with 3 pounds, 5 ounces she won $431, and third place went to Susan Peters with 3 pounds, 3 ounces. She won $287. 

Resort officials thanked the following businesses for their donations: Randy Burch at Koocanusa Resort and Marina, Timber Line Auto Sales, Kootenai truck repair, Rosita’s, The Switch Back Bar & Grill,Shoe Fly Fishing Co., Northwest Motor Sports, Ski Haus, Pop’s Vapor Shop, Homesteader’s, Ace Hardware, Western Building Center, Les Schwab, Montana Power Products, Big Ski Lumber, Jones Electric, Plug-It, Dianne Restaurant, Alpine Precision, Car Quest, Libby Sports Center, Napa Auto, Pepco, Dream Marine , High Spirits Liquor Store, Tim and Judy Baxter, and Murdochs, Camp Creek Roasters, Save Right, Glacier Life and Finacial, Eureka Hardware, Fix coffee shop and Mark's Magic Carpet, Kathy Garrison.