Lake trout anglers have one week left in the 2019 Spring Fishing Event. Registration continues to until the last day of the event. Two hundred sixteen anglers have entered a total of 36,680 lake trout entries. Three thousand eight hundred ninety six were entered over weekend eight. There is Up to $225,000 in Cash and Prizes that will be awarded on May 19th the last day of the event that is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The events are used to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake to increase the numbers of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout which were the dominant fish in the lake for thousands of years. It is important to protect the native fish for future generations.
The $10,000 tagged lake trout is still out there along with 3-$5,000, 5-$1,000, and over 9,000 with values from $500-$100. It is not too late to try your luck catching this elusive lake trout. One fish is all it might take to catch a tagged lake trout or to get a ticket in the lottery drawing that begins at $1,000. Jason Mahlen of Kalispell was a $500 tagged lake trout winner over week eight. He hasn’t been very lucky in tagged fish area. This was his second tagged fish of the event and was a good ending to a long day of fishing. Bob Syvrud of Polson, Ken Varga-Kalispell, and Andy Reed of Kalispell were lucky $200 tagged lake trout winners. Connie Jones, Kolton Turner, Bob Turner from Kalispell were $100 winners along with Sam Sacchi of Thompson Falls.
Jason Mahlen of Kalispell is leading all anglers in the Top Ten Category with his total of 1,979 entries and 99.0 fifteen day new record average. Jason has thirteen perfect one hundred fish days. Two more days will go towards the fifteen day averages. Kolton Turner of Kalispell is in second with 1,716 entries and a 91.8 average, 3rd David McDaniel of Polson with 1,513 and 76.33, 4th Bob Turner-1,399 and 77.47, 5th-Mike Benson of Lonepine 1,244 and 69.53, 6th Scott Mahlen of Kalispell with 1,128 and 61.93, 7th Jerry Benson of Plains with 1,030 and 62.07, 8th Ken Varga of Kalispell with 982 and 59.73, 9th Matt Guckenberg of Kalispell with 923 and 54.67, 10th Scott Bombard of Missoula with 918 and 54.66. Top ten anglers will be placed by the fifteen day average on Saturday evening. Sunday’s fish entry total goes on the bonus totals but is a separate day for prizes.
Julie Perkins of Kalispell continues her lead in the Ladies Category with 589. Second place is Leah Banyai of Kalispell with 366, 3rd Connie Jones of Kalispell with 130, Debbie Paine of Polson is in 4th with 123, and Lisa Cloo of Clinton has 75 for fifth.
Florence angler Larry Karper has a total of 585 in the 70 and Over Category for first place, 2nd Larry Ashwell Missoula-492, Gary Perleberg of Bigfork sits in 3rd with 237, John Gauci of Florence has 193 for 4th, and Roger Brewer of Kalispell is 5th with 42.
Matt Guckenberg Jr. of Kalispell leads in the 13-17 Category with 533, 2nd Leah Banyai with 366, 3rd Emmett Ludahl of Kalispell with 31, Abby Hodgson of Kalispell has 20 for 4th, and Wyatt Thompson of Kalispell has 5 for 5th.
Brodie Smith of Kalispell has 167 in the 12 and Under Category, 2nd Fjord Borgan of Columbia Falls, 3rd Fisher Whitaker of Kalispell with 33, 4th HD of Arlee with 22, and 5th Gunner Whitaker with 12.
Shore anglers are starting to come in with entries. There are tips for shore and boat anglers on the website www.mackdays.com. Check it out to find fish ID, entries, pick-up site information, etc. or telephone 406-270-3386.
Mack Days will end May 19th with a fish fry for friends and family that begins at 3:00 and awards at 4:00 at the Blue Bay boathouse area.
Come out and join in. That $10,000 lake trout may be on the end of your line. Tight lines and good luck everyone!
