The Heat is On: Week 8 Recap of the 2026 Spring Mack Days

The weather on Flathead Lake has been nothing short of spectacular, and our anglers are clearly making the most of it. As we roll into the final stretch of the 2026 Spring Mack Days, the water has been busy—and the numbers prove it. We’ve officially surpassed 35,000 lake trout entries, and with that elusive $10,000 “Chase” fish still out there somewhere, the pressure to land a big payday is at an all-time high.

Whether you’re eyeing the top of the leaderboard or just out for a great day on the water, here’s how the standings look as we head toward the finish line on May 9th.

2026 Spring Mack Days-Week 8 Results

Spring fishing weather on Flathead Lake was great and many anglers enjoyed fishing during week eight of the Mack Days Fishing Event on Flathead Lake. Total fish turned in is at 35,363. Friday total was 1,546, Saturday 1,572, and Sunday 1,151 for a weekend total of 4,269 lake trout entries.

Mack Days Fishing Events are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The events began in 2002. This is the 48^th Mack Days Event. One hundred sixty-two anglers of the 537 entered have caught one or more lake trout since the event began March 12^th. The 2025 Spring Event total was 60,138 and 206 anglers turned in one or more entries. The events are being used as a tool in this fisheries management program because anglers requested to have the opportunity to be part of the management plan. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes responded by developing the Mack Days Fishing Events. Every angler is an important part of this fish conservation effort.  There are categories that include men, women, and youth anglers. Two events per year with one in the spring and one in the fall give all anglers the chance to win in these events. There are several ways to win-go to www.mackdays.com for information. Entries are taken until the last day of the event. 

The $10,000 tagged lake trout “Chase” has not been caught so far-time is running out for the anglers to come in with this highly sought-after lake trout. The event ends on Saturday May 9^th with all entries turned in by 3:00 and an awards ceremony for the anglers. There are 3-$5,000, and 5-$1,000 plus over 10,000 lake trout with values from $100-$500. Tagged lake trout during week eight were turned in by Will Best of Florence-$100, Clint Arneson of Lolo-$100, Kolton Turner of Kalispell-$200, Corey Griffey of Kalispell-$100, Jim Schrieber of Bigfork-$100, Ted Stewart-Kalispell-$100, Ryker Bair of Helena-$100, and Bob Turner of Kalispell-$100.

Kolton Turner continues leading the Top Twenty Anglers with 2020 lake trout entries. Kolton has a 94.22 18-day average. 2^nd Bob Turner of Kalispell 1,788 and 85.61 avg., 3^rd Patrick Casey of Townsend with 1,352 and 71.0, 4^th Jerry Benson of Plains 1,351 and 63.94, 5^th Larry Ashwell of Missoula 1220 and 61.89, 6^th Devon Bukowski of Kalispell 1202 and 61.22, 7^th Terry Krogstad of Kalispell 1061 and 58.94, 8^th Mike Benson of Lonepine with 1,112 and 56.06, 9^th Jack Kirkland of Lolo with 1,021 and 52.44, 10^th Larry Karper of Florence with 634 and 52.33. Clint Speer is 11^th with 966, Julie Perkins of Kalispell is in 12^th with 940, 13^th David Kelch of Great Falls with 914, 14^th Steven Andrachick of Kalispell 902, 15^th Gene Corne of Kalispell 809, 16^th Ken Varga Kalispell 702, 17^th Brodie Smith Kalispell 607, 18^th Tristan Persico of Missoula 596, 19^th Michael Stevenson of Kalispell 590, and 20^th Larry Ludahl of Kalispell 560. 

Brodie Smith is 1^st in the 13-17 age category with 607, 2^nd Will Best of Florence with 18, Ellis Stammers of Charlo is 3^rd with 6, and Charles Hodgenson of Polson has 2 for 4^th. 

Mason Persico of Missoula is 1^st in the 12 and Under with 226, 2^nd Lincoln Gauci of Florence with 75, 3^rd Carter Lindsay of Pablo 41, 4^th Eli Dutton of Kalispell with 12, and 5^th Allyvia Yang of Missoula with 11.

Julie Perkins of Kalispell has 940 in the Ladies category and is 1^st, 2^nd Shaunda Albert of Ronan-497, 3^rd Angie Morrow of Kalispell 331, 4^th Laurie Kreis of Huson 83, and 5^th Connie Jones of Kalispell 56.

The 70 and Over (Golden Oldies) leader is Jerry Benson-1,351, 2^nd Larry Ashwell-1,220, 3^rd Mike Benson-1,112, 4^th Terry Krogstad-1061, and 5^th Jack Kirkland-1,021.

Come out and enjoy the last few days of the 2026 Spring Mack Days Event.

Good luck and tight lines everyone!