Spring Mack Days right around the corner
2020 Spring Mack Days champion Jason Mahlen shows off two lake trout last spring. Mahlen, a seven-time event winner, is wearing the jacket awarded by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for claiming first place. (Scott Shindledecker/Daily Inter Lake)
With a week of recent snow and arctic air in the rearview mirror, it’s time to start gearing up for 2021 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Natural Resources Department this week announced the event will run from March 19 to May 16, with up to $225,000 in cash and prizes to be awarded to the lake trout anglers at the conclusion of the event.
Jason Mahlen of Kalispell has won the last three spring events and seven overall. His highest total for an event is 2,134 lake trout entries in 2019.
The top angler in each event receives a coveted Top Angler Jacket. Mike Benson of Lonepine also has seven overall wins in the fall event.
The first Mack Days Fishing Event was developed in 2002 for fishing enthusiasts of all ages and skills to participate in and support the conservation effort to increase native fish populations in Flathead Lake and slowly decrease the numbers of non-native lake trout.
Native bull trout and west slope cutthroat trout dominated the lake for hundreds of years before the lake trout exploded in the 60s and 70s and took over as the dominant fish.
This spring there will be one $10,000 tagged lake trout, three worth $5,000 and five worth $1,000, plus more than 9,000 with values from $100 to $500.
Matt Guckenberg of Kalispell turned in the $10,000 fish during the 2020 Spring Mack Days.
Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event, and there is no entry fee. Enter on or before March 17 and catch one lake trout during the event to qualify for a special $200 drawing. There is an entry page for anglers on the website under the events tab to qualify for this drawing.
There also will be 35 lottery drawings that will begin at $450 and go up to $1,000. They will be drawn at the conclusion of the event along with the 32 merchandise cash drawings from $50 to $500. Check out the prizes and categories available at www.mackdays.com. The site also offers tips on identifying and catching fish.
Specific competition categories include Youth 12 and under, Youth 13-17, a ladies category, and 70 and over. Julie Perkins of Kalispell has been the top lady angler six times in past events. Laurie Kreis of Huson has a few wins in this category, along with Julie Vacca of Missoula.