Mike Benson leads Fall Mack Days two weeks in

The second week of 2020 Fall Mack Days finished with a total of 1,619 lake trout entered over the weekend.

Friday was the first day of the Bucket of Fish competition, smoke and all. Winning with the heaviest bucket of four lake trout was Rick Skates of Polson. His bucket weighed in at 18.35 pounds. Rick reported that he caught a nice bull trout — first one in 15 years. Second place bucket went to Terry Krogstad of Kalispell at 17.8 pounds. Roger Schiff of Whitefish was third at 15.8 pounds.The next bucket day is Saturday, Oct. 10.

The tagged lake trout ($10,000) Little Fin has not yet been reeled in. He could be anywhere in the lake. There are also three $5,000 and five $1,000 tagged lake trout lurking out in Flathead Lake. Plus there are over 9,000 with values from $100 to $500. A $200 tagged lake trout was caught by Clay Anderson of Kalispell.

Mike Benson of Lonepine leads anglers with 379 entries; Kolton Turner of Kalispell is at 310, followed by Sam Cusker, Bigfork (282), Bob Turner, Kalispell (249), Scott Bombard, Missoula (244), Larry Ashwell, Missoula (221), Terry Krogstad, Kalispell (202), Steve Benson, Spokane Valley, Wash. (178), Shannon Brownlee, Lolo (141) and John Gauci, Florence (137).

Julie Perkins of Kalispell has 130 to lead the ladies, followed by Laurie Kreis of Huson with 71.

Jeff Devlin of Polson leads the 13-17 age group with nine. Tripp Bick of Arlee leads the 12 and under group with 10.

Larry Ashwell is 1st in the 70 and over group with 221, followed by John Gauci (137).

Visit www.mackdays.com or call 406-270-3386 for more information.