Mack Days hauls in more than 33,000 lake trout

The 2023 Spring Mack Days fishing competition on Flathead Lake wrapped up Saturday, May 13, with a grand total of 33,297 lake trout entered by 200 of the 615 anglers registered, making it one of the better events in the history of Mack Days.

The total fish count for the final weekend was 1,514. The 2019 Mack Days still has the record number of fish caught at 40,362.

This biannual event is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks as a tool to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake, and to help improve the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat numbers.

“Mack Days anglers really help make a difference,” says Stephanie Gillin of CSKT’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation. “They are a big part of being successful in this effort.”

She noted that “increasing the populations of the native fish who are part of the culture and history of the Tribes and Montana is something we can all be part of.” CSKT sponsors up to $225,000 in cash and prizes for the event. Check out the results and category winners at www.mackdays.com.

Top 10 Anglers: Kolton Turner of Kalispell turned in 2,089 entries and had an 18-day average of 95.72 to claim first place in the Top Ten Angler category. He was followed by: 2. Jason Mahlen of Kalispell with 1,639 and 88.61 average. 3. Robert Turner of Kalispell with 1,696 and 78.28 average; 4. Clint Speer of Kalispell, 1,077 and 52.5; 5. Travis Banyai of Lakeside, 1,085 and 50.67; 6. Mike Benson of Lonepine, 1,087 and 49.72; 7. Jerry Benson of Plains, 1,069 and 49.67; 8. Steven Benson of Spokane Valley, 864 and 42.11; 9. Terry Krogstad of Kalispell, 840 and 39.33; 10. Ken Varga of Kalispell, 687 and 36.06.

Ladies Category: 1. Leah Banyai of Kalispell with 312; 2. Julie Perkins of Kalispell, 184. 3. Connie Jones of Kalispell, 98; 4. Nicole Peters of Missoula, 14.

70 & Over: 1. Larry Karper of Florence, 593; 2. Larry Ashwell of Missoula, 586. 3.3 Jack Kirkland of Lolo, 479.

13-17 Category: 1. Brodie Smith of Kalispell, 285; 2. Matt Guckenberg Jr. of Kalispell, 41; 3. Josey McIlhargey of Kalispell, 27.

12 & Under: 1. Wyatt Best of Florence, 17; 2. Leon Thao of Missoula, 12; 3. Hadley Steen of Kalispell, 5.

Spirit of the Event Awards: Knives by Bob Crowder of Thompson Falls went to Gene Corne of Kalispell and Jake North of Denton. Both of these anglers exemplify good sportsmanship, enthusiasm for the event, and helpfulness to our staff and other anglers.

Turning in $100 tagged lake trout for the ninth week were: Brian McDowell of Kalispell, Mike Benson, Travis Banyai, and David McDaniel of Polson. Benson also turned in a $500 tagged lake trout.

The $10,000 tagged lake trout, along with his counterparts, did not give in during this event. There will be new lake trout tagged before the Fall Event begins Sept. 14.

Bryan Long of Kalispell won the Largest Lake Trout award with his 36.6-pound, 45.5-inch lake trout entry. The $500 award is sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula.

Smallest lake trout winners were: Jerry Benson of Plains with 151 mm (almost six inches) and Steven Bensons, 157mm lake.

Rick Skates of Polson won overall Bucket of Fish. He turned in heaviest buckets twice and came in second once. Mike Colyer’s boat came in second and David McDaniel of Polson was third.

Captains Prize winners were: Dave Hoback of Arlee, Todd Wood of Ronan, Mike Colyer of Missoula, and Tom Kemppainen of Kalispell.

The Siberian coolers went to David McDaniel, Clint Speer and Ber Yang of Missoula.

The 2023 Fall Mack Days Event will begin Sept. 14 and end Nov. 12. Learn more at www.mackdays.com.