Mack Days approaches record year

FLATHEAD LAKE — At the end of the fourth week of the 2012 Spring Mack Days fishing event, 233 anglers have turned in a total of 12,143 lake trout. That’s more than the record 315 anglers who turned in a total of 11,845 by the fourth week of 2010, the year that reached the highest harvest yet, with 34,350 total in 33 days.

Currently leading in numbers is Mike Benson of Lonepine with 478, 2nd-Don Beville-Lakeside-413, 3rd-Steven Benson-Four Lakes, Wash., 4th-Craig Morigeau-Polson-381, 5th-Scott Bombard-Missoula-370, 6th-Jason Mahlen-Kalispell-349, 7th-Danny Smith-Hot Springs-324, 8th-David McDaniel-Polson-321 and Chuck Forgey-Arlee-321 and 10th-Jerry Benson-Plains-300. The top ten anglers are placed by their best 18-day average at the end of the event.

Ladies are led by Susan Martin of Polson with 96, Tracy Powers-Missoula-2nd-79, Terry Biere-Butte-37, Kathryn Cox-Rollins-36 and Deana Knipe-Polson-36.

Connor Kowalski-Florence continues to lead the 13-17 group with 148, Tanner Murry-Columbia Falls-102, Brady Wieble-Charlo-24, Kobe Cox-Charlo-23, and Roger Guillory-Kalispell-19. The 12 and Under category is led by Garett Vaughan-Charlo-88, Dylan Hodgson-Kalispell-21 and Autumn Powers-Missoula-18.Tied in fourth place are Carson McDaniel-Polson, Kailey Schrader and Adam Schrader-Kalispell.

Smallest lake trout entries are still 165mm (6 1/2”)-Jason Mahlen-Kalispell and 174mm (7”)-Alvin Haase-Stevensville. There is no large lake trout entry-it has to be over 36” and 24 pounds to qualify. Tagged lake trout were turned in by Steve Thompson-Columbia Falls and Roger Dilts-Polson for $200. Mike Benson, Keith Wock-Polson, Travis Banyai-Lakeside and Jason North-Stevensville-$100.

Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The fishing events are used to slowly reduce numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. Up to $150,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to anglers at the end of the event. Prizes are awarded in a lottery style drawing so all it takes is one ticket to win one of the 50 cash prizes from $100-$1,000. There are over 4,000 tagged fish.

The fishing reports are that the lake trout are deep-220-260 feet. The use of a map that shows the depths and contours of the lake or a good fish finder is essential. The lake trout seem to be concentrated on steep drop-off areas and off of the steep points. Some anglers report that following the contours where the depths go down but not too steep also produces some lake trout. With the warmer weather moving in this may change.

Remember to keep your fish on ice if you are going to donate them to go to the food banks. They cannot be accepted for donation if they are not on ice. The use of a live well does not keep the temperature low enough. Ice needs to be added to it.

Entries are taken until the last day of the event. There is no charge to enter this event. One fish is all it takes to win! For more information go to www.mackdays.com or call 406-883-2888 ext. 7294.