38,085 Lake Trout Entered During Mack Day’s: Winner Announced
By Kjel

Posted: May 23, 2012

Top angler of 2012 Spring Mack Days-Don Beville of Lakeside- was awarded the Top Angler Jacket and $700 cash prize at the conclusion of the event Sunday May 20th.  A total of 1,551 lake trout were entered by the Lakeside angler who had an 18 day average of 60.17.  Craig Morigeau of Polson came in second with 1,270 entries and an average of 53.3-$650, Mike Benson-Lonepine 3rd with 1,265 and 48.8 average-$600, 4th place-Jason Mahlen of Kalispell-1,236 and 48.6-$550, 5th-Danny Smith-Hot Springs-1,028 and 43.3-$500, 6th-Steve Benson-Four Lakes, WA.1,055 and 41.3-$400, Scott Bombard-7th-Missoula-1,080 and 40.5-$350, Jerry Benson-Plains-8th-1,022 and 40.0-$300, Terry Krogstad-Kalispell-9th-817 and 39.6-$250, and David McDaniel-Polson-828 and 36.8 in tenth-$200.  The top ten anglers also receive top ten sweatshirts and hats.

Ladies top angler went to Tracy Powers-Missoula-444 entries and $300 cash prize, Susan Martin-Polson-2nd-378 and $200, Nicole Peters-Missoula-334 and $100, Deana Knipe-Polson-4th-213-$100, and Sharon Beville-Lakeside-5th-74-$100.

Youth 17-13 winner was Connor Kowalski of Florence with 444 entries-$200, 2nd-Tanner Murry-Columbia Falls-$150-295 entries, Kobe Cox-Charlo-$75-146 entries, Garett Beville-Columbia Falls-130-$50, 5th-Roger Guillory-Kalispell-88 and $50.

The 12 & under age group was won by Garett Vaughan of Charlo with 263 entries-$100, Danner Shima-Kalispell-2nd-92 and $75, Dylan Hodgson-Kalispell-63-$50.
Largest lake trout winner was Ryan Shima-Kalispell-with his 42.5” 24.5 lb. lake trout entry.

Smallest lake trout entries were 160mm each and were entered by Dan Smith-Columbia Falls and Tracy Powers-Missoula-each winning $250.

The Spirit of the Event Award-angler who best exemplifies the event and the meaning of it went to Chad Cottet of Polson.  Chad continues to become and is a contender in the event along with helping to improve methods for tracking numbers and averages.

Lottery winners of $1,000 were Larry Schmill-Missoula and Brian Hodgson-Kalispell, Tyson Cottet of Charlo and Chad Cottet-Polson each were winners of $950, $900-Brian Long-Columbia Falls, Marty Noyd-Missoula, and Roger Dilts-Polson. Several other smaller cash prizes were also awarded.

lakA total of 38,085 e trout were entered during the event by the anglers-this is well over the 34,350 record which was set in Spring 2010.  Over 1,000 anglers were entered in the event and approximately 390 turned in lake trout entries. The 2010 Spring Event had been the largest in the past but this year the number increased by 3,735 lake trout entries.

Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.  The events are used to slowly reduce non native lake trout in Flathead Lake. The Flathead Lake Fishery was once dominated by the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout. Lake trout have dramatically increased in numbers over the years. Native fish are an important part of the history and future of the Flathead system. The 2012 event was very successful and is the largest of the events so far.  There are many people who help make it successful from the anglers to many others working for the same goals of making a difference in the lake. Up to $150,000 in cash and prizes is awarded to the anglers.

 

Go to www.mackdays.com for more information.

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