Fall Mack Days celebrates six weeks of success, continues
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News from CSKT
FLATHEAD LAKE — Up to $200,000 in cash and prizes, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, will be awarded to participating anglers at the conclusion of the 2020 Fall Mack Days event, which ends Nov. 15.
Mack Days are used as a tool by CSKT to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake and increase the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations in the lake.
The fall weather quickly changed out on the water over the sixth weekend of the event. It was a roller coaster ride for most if they stayed out in open water. Some anglers were able to duck in behind an island or maybe in a bay to get away from the big waves but a few rode it out all day long all weekend long. They endured wind, rain, hail and snow. These anglers are the best, and their spirit and endurance help to make Mack Days as successful as it can be.
A total of 10,301 lake trout entries have been turned in. The week-six weekend total was 536 with 210 on Friday; 182 on Saturday and 144 on Sunday. The Monday through Thursday fishing total was 296.
The $10,000 tagged lake trout plus three $5,000 and five $1,000 tagged fish are also out in Flathead Lake, and there are over 9,000 fish with values from $500 to $100.
Happy birthday to angler Larry Ashwell who turned in a $500 tagged lake trout on a blistery and snowy Sunday afternoon: what a nice birthday surprise. Turning in $200 tagged lake trout were Sam Sacchi, of Thompson Falls, and Mike Benson. The $100 tagged fish were turned in by Monte McPherson, of Silverdale, Washington, Josh Wood, of Missoula, and Larry Ashwell, Julie Perkins, and Jim Flinchbaugh, of Kalispell, and Nick Kammerer, of Missoula, and Terry Krogstad, also of Kalispell.
Mike Benson, of Lonepine, leads the anglers with a total of 631 lake trout entries. Sam Cusker, of Bigfork, is second with 481. In third place is Larry Ashwell, of Missoula, with 454.
The top female angler is Julie Perkins, of Kalispell, with 317 entries. Laurie Kreis, of Huson, is second with 225. Gina Schiff, of Whitefish, is third with 75.
Larry Ashwell leads the 70 and over age group with 454, and John Gauci is second with 426. Third place went to Larry Karper 320.
Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event. Go to www.mackdays.com for information and entry forms. Click on the events tab or go out and fish and then turn in a fish and enter at the end of the day. All it takes is one fish to be entered in the lottery drawing that begins at $1,000. Fish one day or several days and come out and get involved in the event.
Check out entry times on the website or telephone 406-270-3386. Methods used the past week were jigging, trolling and some casting. The lake trout are getting into the spawning mode and coming in closer to shore. Tight lines everyone.
