Week 1: Mack Days angler lands 38-inch lake trout

The 2025 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event on Flathead Lake started out with anglers saying “fish on” many times over the first few days of the event. 

Mack Days events are a tool used by the fisheries program of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to help native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations in Flathead Lake increase, and is sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

“Willy, where are you?” is apt to be the most popular fish call on the lake. Willy has a $10,000 pit tag and will be sought after by all anglers. There are also three $5,000 tags, five worth $1,000, and more than 9,000 with values from $100 to $500.

Bob Bouchee of Missoula and Larry Ashwell of Missoula were $500 tag winners last weekend, while Jason Mahlen of Kalispell, Ray Wolf of Lago Vista, Texas, fishing with Big Sky Fishing Charters, and Devon Burkowki of Kalispell each turned in $100 tags.

The first entry in the largest lake trout category was also off the Big Sky Fishing Charter boat, helmed by Captain Chris Mischke. Phil Sanger of Austin, Texas, caught a 38-inch lake trout weighing 20.35 lbs. Mike Colyer of Missoula posted the smallest lake trout entry at 164mm (6.5 inches) followed by a fish measuring 218mm (8.5 inches), caught by Clint Speer of Kalispell.

Some of the anglers started last Thursday, which was a banner day. There were 1,215 lake trout turned in; aided by Jerry Benson, David Meyers, Jason Mahlen, Bob Turner and Kolton Turner, who each turned in 100 fish. The total for all four days was 6,677. 

Friday fishing ended with a 10-way tie for first place with 10 anglers turning in full 100 fish limits: Larry Ashwell of Missoula, Mike Benson of Lonepine, Jerry Benson of Plains, David Meyers of Riverton, Wyo., Travis Banyai of Lakeside, and Kalispell anglers Clint Speer, Jason Mahlen, Ken Varga, Bob Turner and Kolton Turner.

Friday’s total came to 2,273 which is a record first-day total.

Saturday total was 2,016, with 100 fish turned in by Jason Mahlen, Bob Turner, Kolton Turner and Jerry Benson. Kolton Turner, Bob Turner and Mahlen continued with 100-fish runs, ending Sunday with weekend totals of 300 each. Fourth place among the top 10 is held by Jerry Benson with 267, followed by Mike Benson with 258, David Meyers with 257, Clint Speer with 240, Terry Krogstad with 226, Julie Perkins with 178, and Larry Ashwell of Missoula and Larry Ludahl of Kalispell, tied for 10th and 11th. Sunday’s total haul was 1,173.

Julie Perkins leads the Ladies with 178, followed by Janey Meyers of Riverton Wyo., Connie Jones of Kalispell and Shaunda Albert of Ronan.

Brodie Smith of Kalispell, who has grown up fishing Mack Days, tops the 13-17 category having turned in 90 fish. Benjamin Dieterich of Kalispell has a total of 15 entries.

Up to $225,000 in cash and prizes are awarded at the biannual event, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai. Categories are set up for the Top 20 Anglers, Ladies, Youth, 70 & Over, Captains, Weekend Prizes, and Weekday Prizes. Thirty lottery prizes begin at $500 and go to $2,000. Bonus dollars are determined by the totals of fish that anglers turn in once they have 10 fish entered, and add up every day of the event, which continues through May 10.

Go to the website www.mackdays.com for information on the many different ways to win and to enter the event.

Anglers are reminded to stay safe, watch weather predictions, have proper gear, keep cell phones in a dry area, and have a plan that someone knows about.

    Mike Colyer of Missoula shows off his tiny catch, an entry in Mack Days' smallest lake trout category. (Courtesy photo)