One hundred thirty-four anglers out of four hundred twenty-one registered anglers have turned in a total of 13,042 lake trout entries in 2020 Fall Mack Days on Flathead Lake sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Up to $200,000 will be awarded at the conclusion of the event which is November 15th. The weather gave anglers a break during week eight of the ten-week long fishing event. Temperatures were milder and there was no blowing wind, no snow, and no rain. Friday’s total was 438, Saturday was a good fishing day with 668, and the Sunday total was 527.
There is a $10,000, 3-$5,000, 5-$1,000 and over 9,000 tagged lake trout with values from $500-$100 in the lake just waiting for a lucky angler. Tagged fish have been released in all areas of Flathead Lake. Dan Seman of Helena was out on Saturday and turned in a $500 tagged lake trout. Other week eight winners were: $200 tags-Julie Perkins of Kalispell X 2 and Kim Mack of Helena-turning in $100 tags were Julie Perkins, Larry Ashwell, Mike Benson X 3, Jim Jones-Kalispell, Scott Bombard, Kenny Garrett-Missoula, and Jim Flinchbaugh of Kalispell.
Top ten anglers are placed by their best eighteen-day average out of a possible 30 weekend days. An angler can opt to take zeros for days if they do not have eighteen days in. After eighteen days their low number is dropped if their entry is higher than that number. Mike Benson of Lonepine leads the Top Angler category with 918 and a 47.72 average out of 23 days on the water during the weekend fishing. Sam Cusker of Bigfork could make a move on 1st place if he can get more days in on the water. His total is 683 after fishing 14 days with a daily average of 48.79 and an eighteen-day average of 37.94. Third place is held by Larry Ashwell of Missoula with 574-30.61-20 days, 4th and 5th Scott Bombard Missoula with 518 and 28.61-19 days and Terry Krogstad-Kalispell with 518-26.78-21 days, 6th John Gauci of Florence with 488-26.83-20 days, 7th Julie Perkins of Kalispell-447-23.72-20 days, 8th Steve Benson of Spokane Valley has 394-17 days, 9th Larry Karper of Florence-386-17 days, and 10th Kolton Turner of Kalispell with 359-9 days.
Julie Perkins leads the Ladies Category with 447, Laurie Kreis of Huson is 2nd with 280, Gina Schiff of Whitefish is 3rd with 89, Kim Mack of Helena has 66 for 4th, and Kim McMillie of Polson is 5th with 52.
Larry Ashwell leads the 70 and Over group with 574, 2nd John Gauci with 488, Larry Karper has 386 for 3rd, 4th Jack Kirkland of Missoula with 240, and Marty Herak of Polson is 5th with 114.
Youth angler numbers did not change over week eight.
Winners of the five $100 drawings for week eight were: Steve Benson, Richard Kreis, Laurie Kreis, Julie Perkins, and Paul Soukup of Polson. Previous winners of week seven were: Tony Incashola of St. Ignatius, Sam Cusker X 2, Mike Benson, and Terry Krogstad.
There are two weekends left in the event. Entries are taken until the last day of the event. Sunday November 8th is the last day of the Bucket Competition. Anglers put their four largest lake trout in a bucket and a weight is taken. Heaviest bucket of fish wins $200. Check out the rules, fish ID, entry form, etc. at www.mackdays.com. Come out and get entered for the lottery drawings that begin at $1,000 and go to $50 at the conclusion of the event. One entry for every lake trout under 30” entered. There will be sixty-four lottery drawings. Call 406-270-3386 for more information or go to the website www.mackdays.com.
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