Spring Mack Days: Best weekend so far

So far, 188 Spring Mack Days anglers have turned in 23,517 entries, and the sixth weekend was the most successful so far. Friday’s catch came to 1,640, Saturday’s entries were 1,486, and Sunday’s tally was 1,388 for a weekend total of 4,514 fish entries.

Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and are used as a management tool to reduce non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. Up to $225,000 in cash and prizes sponsored by the Tribes will be awarded at the conclusion of the event on May 13.

David Kelch of Great Falls turned in two $100 tagged lake trout during the sixth weekend and David McDaniel of Polson turned in his third $100 tagged fish of the event.

The $10,000 tagged lake trout has eluded all attempts to entice him to bite. Also still swimming are three $5,000, six $1,000, and over 9,000 lake trout tagged with values from $100 to $500.

The second Bucket Day was Saturday with Rick Skates of Big Arm winning with a three-fish bucket at 21.7 lbs.; second, with the four-fish limit, was David McDaniel at 21.5 lbs.; and third went of Cole Williams of Kalispell with 21.3. The third and final Bucket Day will be Sunday, May 7.

Kolton Turner of Kalispell had a stellar weekend of fishing with three 100 fish days and a grand total of 1,592. Robert Turner of Kalispell posted 1,295 for second, and Jason Mahlen of Kalispell has 1,123 for third, and also had a great weekend of fishing with 96 Friday, followed by two 100-fish days.

Lady angler Leah Banyai of Lakeside is leading in the Ladies Category with 253; second is Julie Perkins of Kalispell with 91; and third is Connie Jones of Kalispell with 72.

The 13-17 Category leader is Brodie Smith of Kalispell with 188; and the 12 & Under leader is Wyatt Best of Florence with 14.

Leading the 70 & Over group is Mike Benson of Lonepine with 845, followed by Terry Krogstad with 596, and Larry Ashwell of Missoula with 414.

Weekend winners were Leah Banyai, $200, and David McDaniel, Jerry Benson, Ryan Hilgar of Missoula, and Bob Stewart of Kalispell, who each received $100.

Competition for the smallest lake trout became a little more intense with Steven Benson taking the lead with a 157mm lake trout. Running a close second is Bob Turner’s 158mm laker. Those measure from 6.25 to 6.5 inches long.

The largest lake trout entry is still Kalispell angler Bryon Long’s fish at 36.65 lbs. and 45.5 inches.

The weather for the seventh weekend is looking good. Organizers say it’s not too late to get involved and help to make a difference for the future of the native fish in Flathead Lake.

Spring Mack Days will end on Saturday, May 13, at 3 p.m. when all fish will need to be turned at Blue Bay. The lottery prizes will be drawn Saturday morning and posted after all entries are in from Friday’s catch. Awards and recognition for category winners will be made at 3 p.m. and all cash awards will be mailed out the following week.

Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event. There is no entry fee. Check out all of the ways to win on the website at www.mackdays.com.