2020 Fall Mack Days Update – Week 6
By angelamontana

Posted: October 20, 2020

There are four weeks left in the 2020 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event on 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 event which is November 15th.  Mack Days are used as a tool by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes 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, 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 536-210 Friday, 182-Saturday, and 144-Sunday. 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 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, $100 tagged fish were turned in by: Monte McPherson of Silverdale WA, Josh Wood-Missoula, Larry Ashwell, Julie Perkins X 2, Jim Flinchbaugh of Kalispell, Nick Kammerer-Missoula, and Terry Krogstad of Kalispell. 

Mike Benson-Lonepine leads the anglers with a total of 631 lake trout entries, 2nd Sam Cusker-Bigfork 481, 3rd Larry Ashwell-Missoula 454, 4th Scott Bombard-Missoula 442, 5th John Gauci-Florence 426, 6th Terry Krogstad-Kalispell 394, 7th Kolton Turner-Kalispell-359, 8th Steve Benson-Spokane Valley, WA, 9th Larry Karper-Florence 320, and 10th Julie Perkins-Kalispell-317.  

The top ten anglers are placed by their best 18 day average at the conclusion of the event. If an angler places in the top ten they can not place in other categories such as 70 and Over or Ladies. Those places will go to anglers in the next placings.

Top lady angler is Julie Perkins of Kalispell with 317 entries, Laurie Kreis of Huson is 2nd with 225, Gina Schiff of Whitefish is 3rd with 75, Kim McMillie of Polson is 4th with 52, and Debby Sacchi of Thompson Falls is 5th with 39. These ladies spend hours in boats just like their husbands or partners. They endure the same elements and are tough anglers just like the men.

Larry Ashwell leads the 70 and Over group with 454, John Gauci is 2nd with 426, 3rd Larry Karper 320, Jack Kirkland of Missoula is 4th with 202, and Marty Herak of Polson is 5th with 95. 

The youth categories were not changed over the weekend. 

Weekend winners of $100 were: Terry Krogstad, Laurie Kreis, Larry Karper, Sam Cusker, and John Gauci.

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 you can even go out and fish then turn in your 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 and go to $400. Cash prizes will be given in place of merchandise and that drawing begins at $500 and goes to $50. Bonus amounts begin with your eleventh entry and go up as the total entries you turn in go up. Fish one day or several days come out and get involved in the event-you could be winner!

Fish Monday through Sunday. Check in Monday through Thursday is at Blue Bay from 9-6, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 9-dark at Blue Bay plus there are pickup sites around the lake. Check out the 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!

—cskt–

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