Mack Days enters sixth week with tally of more than 11,000 lake trout
Fall Mack Days continues with just four weeks left in the nine-week long event.
It is not too late to become involved. Up to $200,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the annual event on Nov. 12.
Mack Days are used as a management tool to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake and increase the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat numbers.
By Monday, the tally was 11,099 fish; the 2022 total by this time was 10,374 and 2021’s tally came to 9,291. Of the 308 anglers entered, 102 have turned in one or more lake trout.
Friday’s total catch was 541, Saturday was 618, and Sunday was 538 for a weekend total of 1,697. The total for Monday to Thursday fishing was 2,549.
The $10,000 tagged lake trout Ghost is still silently gliding through the waters of Flathead Lake. There are also three $5,000 and six $1,000 tagged fish, and more than 9,000 with values from $100-$500.
Winners of $200 tagged lake trout over the fifth week were: Eric Peterson of Kalispell, Tim Mooney of Missoula, and Michael Benson of Lonepine. Benson also turned in a $100 tag, as did Darrin Farrelly of Kalispell, Julie Perkins of Kalispell, Mike Khoudary of Stevensville, Jerry Benson of Plains and Cole Williams of Kalispell.
Felix Gauci of Stevensville is leading the Top 20 anglers with 849 lake trout entries. His totals for the weekend were 37 on Friday, 51 on Saturday, and 54 on Sunday. David Myers of Riverton, Wyo., is in second with 839 (43, 51 and 33); third is Michael Benson at 659 (37, 28 and 24); fourth is Bob Stewart of Kalispell with 619 (19, 34 and 25; and fifth is Jerry Benson of Plains at 509 (24, 26 and 34).
Totals and placing can change fast. Anglers are limited to 100 lake trout per day and the top 10 are placed by their best 18-day average at the conclusion of the event.
Laurie Kries is leading the Ladies with 196; second is Debby Sacchi, 133; third is Julie Perkins, 98; fourth is Kim Mack of Helena, 67, and fifth is Pamela Simonich of Missoula, 14.
Paisley and Blaine Helvey of Thompson Falls are first and second in the 12 and Under with 14 each. Zander Oliver of Missoula has five; and tied with one entry each are Bear Yarrow, Holden Griffin and Ace Whimper of Clinton, Wesley Balavage of Fishtail, Mason Cusker of Bigfork, and Dawson Peterson of Kalispell.
Richard and Laurie Kreis claimed the second Heaviest Bucket of Fish title with a bucket weight of 34.65 lbs.; second was Rick Skates of Big Arm, 28; third was Terry Krogstad and Julie Perkins with 22.6; fourth was Monte McPherson, 21.35; and fifth was Sam Cusker of Bigfork, 20.5 lbs. Third day for the bucket contest will be Sunday, Nov. 7.
Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula sponsors a $500 prize for the largest lake trout entry, but there are still no contestants. To vie for the prize, anglers have to turn in lake trout measuring more than 36 inches and 20 pounds. Anglers have reported having really large ones on the line but they just have not landed them in the boat yet.
Drawings for the fifth weekend were won by Julie Perkins, $200; and Scott Bombard, Richard Kreis, Claude Kaber, and Jim Flinchbaugh, $100 each.
Head to www.mackdays.com for more information on categories, fishing tips and results. Entries continue to be accepted until the last day of the event and there is no entry fee; call Cindy Benson at 406-270-3386 or email the entry form to cindy.benson@cskt.org.