Lonepine angler still pacing Fall Mack Days field

Wind and rough water made for a slow week of fishing during the third week of 2020 Fall Mack Days. Thursday was one of the few days in the history of the event that saw no fish turned in. The total for Monday through Thursday was 180 fish. Through Sunday, 6,661 fish had been entered for the entire event.

Mike Benson of Lonepine continues to lead all anglers with 490 fish, followed by Kolton Turner, Kalispell (344), Scott Bombard, Missoula (294), Sam Cusker, Bigfork (282), Larry Ashwell, Missoula (277), Bob Turner, Kalispell (273), Terry Krogstad, Kalispell (255), Steve Benson, Spokane Valley, Wash. (233), John Gauci, Florence (202) and ladies leader Julie Perkins of Kalispell (188).

Laurie Kreis of Huson is second among women with 117 fish, followed by Kim McMillie, Polson, and Gina Schiff of Whitefish with 40 each.

The 70-and-over leader is Ashwell with 277, followed by Gauci (202), Larry Karper, Florence (146), Jack Kirkland, Missoula (91) and Marty Herak of Polson with 72.

Jeffrey Devlin of Polson is the leader in the age 13-17 category with 14. Makenna Garrett of Polson has eight, and Wyatt Thompson of Bigfork is at two.

Tripp Bick of Arlee leads the 12-and-under group with 10, followed by Gage Spring of Alberton (four).

There were $100 tagged lake trout turned in by: Jeff Freeman of Polson, Bill Sorg of Kila, Mike Crosby of Thompson Falls, Roger Schiff of Whitefish, Larry Karper, Julie Perkins, and John Gauci.

Winning the five $100 weekend electronic random drawing were: Jim Flinchbaugh, Mike Benson, John Gauci, Julie Perkins and Steve Mack.

Fall Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and are used as a management tool to reduce numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. Visit www.mackdays.com and click on the events tab for rules, fish identification, fishing tips and more. Those with questions or concerns may contact Cindy Benson at (406) 270-3386 or 883-2888, ext. 7294.