2025 Spring Mack Days – Week 8 Update

The one hundred fish limit was on the minds of many anglers on Friday May 1^st of the 2025 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Ten anglers turned in their 100 fish limits of lake trout. The bite was on for them to have a perfect day of fishing on Flathead Lake. Total fish count on Friday was 2,544 which is the second highest day ever for fish entries. Highest day of fish entries was 3,030 on March 17^th of 2017. The 2017 weekend total that first weekend was 6,138 and had been that record till the 2025 week eight that came to 6,451. It was a busy weekend for anglers. Saturday 2,389 lake trout and Sunday 1,518 entries. This is a record setting year with a total of 54,550 lake trout entries so far and week nine yet to go!

2025 Mack Days will end on Saturday May 10^th. All entries are to be turned in by 3:00 at Blue Bay. No fish pickups on that day. The lottery drawing winners will be posted and Top Anglers announced. 

Kolton Turner of Kalispell has held onto the lead with a total of 2,220 entries and a 100.0-18 day average-Fri-100, Sat 100, and Sun 91. Top ten anglers are placed by their 18-day average. Jason Mahlen Kalispell is a close 2^nd with 2,143 and 98.5-100, 61, & 100, Bob Turner Kalispell 3^rd 2,042 and 95.17-100, 100, 84, 4^th David Myers Riverton WY 2,082 95.11-100, 100, 100, 5^th Clint Speer Kalispell 1,531 71.72-77, 45, 70, 6^th Jerry Benson Plains 1,460 69.28-68, 80, 31, 7^th Patrick Casey Townsend 1,410 67.83-100, 86, 48, 8^th Larry Ashwell Missoula 1,253 67.5-100, 89, 47, 9^th Terry Krogstad Kalispell 1,347 65.56-100, 77, 86, 10^th Steve Andrachick Kalispell 1,310 65.28.-63, 80, 100. 

Fridays totals may change the averages for some placings this coming week. The competition for categories ends on Friday.  Saturday is a separate day with its own prizes. Totals do count for bonus dollars. Coming in 11^th is Gene Corne of Kalispell 1,282, 12^th Mike Benson of Lonepine 1,185, 13^th Bob Stewart of Kalispell with 1,172, 14^th Devon Bukowski of Kalispell 1,144, 15^th Julie Perkins Kalispell 1,085, 16^th Larry Ludahl Kalispell 976, 17^th Larry Karper Florence 956, 18^th Michael Stevenson Kalispell 887, 19^th Bryan Long Columbia Falls 860, and 20^th Jack Kirkland of Lolo with 796. Many, many, hours of fishing represented by all of the anglers. Fishing rods and lines just waiting and catching. 

Lady angler Julie Perkins has 1,085 for her weekend count and came in on Wednesday with the first 100 fish limit in for a woman in the event. Janey Myers of Riverton WY is 2^nd with 480, 3^rd Connie Jones Kalispell, 4^th Shaunda Albert of Ronan with 203, and 5^th Laurie Bouley of Columbia Falls with 68. These ladies are tough competitors putting in the hours just like their partners getting the job done!

The youth anglers are amazing anglers and great sportsmen and women. Some have grown up during the Mack Days Events and move on into the adult categories and there are some new names appearing. They are the future of making a difference in Flathead Lake. Brodie Smith of Kalispell is 1^st in the 13-17 Category with 710 and is sitting 21^st in the adult category, 2^nd Fjord Borgen-Columbia Falls 14, 3^rd David Gerspach-Kila 3, Sawyer Clark of Columbia Falls is 4^th with 3. 1^st in the 12 & Under category is Mason Persico Missoula with 59, 2^nd Carter Lindsay of Pablo with 56, 3rd Allyvia Yang of Missoula-32, 4^th Benjamin Deterich of Kalispell-25, 5^th Leo Thao of Missoula 12.

David Myers of Riverton WY has fished for 53 days-every day of the event so far turning in fish every day he has been out. His total catch is 4,050 lake trout. 

Jerry Benson leads the 70 & Over with 1,460, 2^nd Terry Krogstad 1,347, 3^rd Larry Ashwell 1,253, 4^th Mike Benson 1,185, and 5^th Larry Karper 956.

Tagged lake trout are all worth $100 at this time. Turning in tagged lake trout were: Dave MyersX2, Kalispell anglers- Carey HauserX2, Bill Sorg, Jim Flinchbaugh, Kolton Turner, Weston Turner, Gene Corne, Missoula anglers Matt Brazda and Larry Ashwell, Josh Morigeau of Polson, and Shaunda Albert of Ronan. 

Jim Flinchbaugh Kalispell turned in a 156mm small lake trout on Friday. Gene Corne holds the title for the smallest lake trout entry in this event with a 155mm laker.  Weekend winners: Janet Myers-$200 and Julie Perkins, Matt Brazda, and Patrick Casey X 2 each $100. 

Mack Days Fishing Events are used to reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. This is a fish conservation effort to increase the native bull trout and cutthroat trout populations. Anglers asked for and were given the chance to be a part of this effort and they are making a difference for the future of the native fish.  Come out and join Mack Days anglers for the last week. Entries continue to be taken until the last day May 10^th. Go to www.mackdays.com for information, entry, fishing tips, etc. 

Good luck & Tight lines everyone!

—CSKT—

Feature photo: Tristan & Mason Persico of Missoula

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