2025 Fall Mack Days Week 5 on Flathead Lake is complete with a total of 11,270 lake trout entries turned in by lake trout anglers. Mack Days Fishing Events are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and are sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. November 2^nd is the last day of the nine-week long event with entries continuing to be taken until the last day. Fall 2024 total at this time was 10,779. 

This is a fish conservation effort on Flathead Lake to decrease the population of non-native lake trout and increase the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations. Anglers are participating to protect the fishing heritage of everyone who cares about the history of the lake. Native fish in the lake were a food source of tribal people and others when needed and it is important that these naive fish remain in Flathead Lake for future generations to come. 

Fall weather has arrived. Erratic wind, rain, and a cooler temp was in store for the anglers on Sunday with several waiting for the wind to subside or not going out at all. There were 129 lake trout turned in for the day. Exciting for some to see on Sunday was a moose swimming in the lake from Yellow Bay to Blue Bay. He took quit a swim-first heading out towards Wildhorse Island and then changing course-coming back towards the shore and swimming along to come out a little past Blue Bay. Anglers reported they were surprised at how fast the moose could paddle through the water. Total fish count for Saturday was 570 and Fridays total came to 530. Weekend total was the lowest of the event with 1,229. Week 4-1,572, week-3 1,573, week 2-2,041, and week 1 of the event weekend total was 2,118. 

The elusive “Double D” lake trout-alias Downrigger Dale who has a tag in his cheek worth $10,000 is still unaccounted for. There are also 3-$5,000, 5-$1,000 and over 9,000 with values from $100-$500. They are the most sought-after lake trout in the lake. Double D is lurking in the deep depths of the lake trying to keep his location from being discovered. Come out and try to land him at the end of your line-he could be yours at the end of the day. Justin Bair of Helena turned in a $500 tagged lake trout and Mike Benson of Lonepine turned in a $100 tagged lake trout during the 5^th weekend.

Bonus dollars continue to go up as the angler’s totals go up. Once you turn in 11 lake trout you will receive bonus dollars. Categories go up every 25-lake trout. Check out the chart on the website at www.mackdays.com. 

Saturday October 11^th will be the 2^nd day of the three Bucket of Fish Days. Put your four largest lake trout under 30” in a bucket for a weight. Heaviest bucket wins $200. Jens Gran of Polson won the 1^st Bucket Day with a weight of 32.8 lbs.  The last day will be Sunday October 26^th. 

The lead in the Top Twenty Angler category changes regularly between the top two anglers. David Myers of Riverton WY has a total of 714 for Friday to Sunday competition. David turned in 58-Friday, 32-Saturday, and 25-Sunday. Terry Krogstad of Kalispell has 712-36-Friday, 45-Saturday, and 12-Sunday. Fun to watch the two of them going back and forth for the lead. Julie Perkins of Kalispell has moved into 3^rd with 630-32-45-37, 4^th Larry Ashwell of Missoula 627-47-45-0, 5^th Devon Bukowski of Kalispell 486-29-41-13, 6^th Jack Kirkland of Lolo 456-27-47-0, 7^th Patrick Casey of Townsend 442-38-54-0, 8^th Mike Benson of Lonepine 352-33-53-0, 9^th Lyndon Lee of Canada 351-10-3-10, 10^th Bob Stewart of Kalispell 307-43-0-0, 11^th Richard Kreis of Huson 289, 12^th Janet Myers-Riverton WY 245, 13^th Jerry Benson-Plains 220, 14^th Larry Karper-Florence 202, 15^th Dan Deutschman of Fergus Falls MN-200, 16^th Laurie Kreis-Huson 188, 17^th Angie Morrow-Kalispell 167, 18^th Felix Gauci-Stevensville 152, 19^th-Steve Mack-Helena 111, and 20^th Ted Stewart-Kalispell 105. 

Julie Perkins continues her lead in the Ladies Category with 630, 2^nd Janet Myers 245, 3^rd Laurie Kreis-188, 4^th Angie Morrow-167, and 5^th Shaunda Albert of Ronan with 50. 

Terry Krogstad is 1^st in the 70 & Over Category with 712, 2^nd Larry Ashwell-627, 3^rd Jack Kirkland-456, 4^th Mike Benson-352, and 5^th Jerry Benson-220.

Olivia Cottet of Polson has 5 in the 13-17 Category and Carter Lindsay of Pablo has 8 in the 12 & Under Category. 

Fishing tips are on the website at www.mackdays.com. The lake trout are in a spawning mode and are moving in closer to shore. Be safe and keep vigilant of weather conditions predicted and changes while on the water. 

Good luck & Tight lines everyone!

—CSKT—

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