Hold onto your hats, because the 2026 Spring Mack Days are officially off the hook and heating up faster than a thermos of black coffee in a Montana blizzard! Two weeks in, and the tourney squad of 70 relentless anglers has already hauled a whopping 5,105 lake trout out of Flathead Lake. While the leaderboard is currently being dominated by Kolton Turner, there’s still a literal fortune swimming in the lake…the elusive $10,000 tagged trout, “Chase,” is still playing hard to get, alongside a school of other pretty high-value fish just begging for a jig. You have until May 9th to stop reading, start casting, and maybe—just maybe—reel in a retirement fund!
Here’s the latest update from CSKT on the second week of 2026 Spring Mack Days:
2026 Spring Mack Days-week 2
Two weeks into the 2026 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event with the total of lake trout entries turned in by 70 anglers out of the 289 registered at 5,105. Sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes the event will continue until Saturday May 9th. There is a lot of time left to come out and compete in this event. The events are a fish conservation effort that is designed to reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout and increase the numbers of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in Flathead Lake. Fridays total catch came to 1,004, Saturday-1,188 and Sunday 1092. Weekday (Mon-Thurs) total is at 1,065.
The $10,000 tagged lake trout “Chase” has been evading the anglers. Chase is named after the $10,000 bill that is no longer in circulation but still legal tender. Salmon P. Chase was the face on the bill. He’s lurking in the dark murky depths of Flathead Lake he is just waiting for the right lure to be dropped down in front of him before he bites. There is also 3-$5,000, 5-$1,000 and over 9,000 with values from $100-$500. Tagged lake trout were turned in the 2nd week from Bob Turner-Kalispell-$100, Larry Ashwell-Missoula-$200, and Sheldon Woldstad-Somers-$100.
Fishing Tip- Jigging in depths from 80’-240’ it takes a jig from 3/8oz up to 2oz (if there is a lot of current) –with special fish scent slathered on like shaving cream for some of these fish to be attracted to it. The scents come in all flavors-some have added coloring in them. Jigs come in all colors with some having added florescent glows on them. Many anglers will also have a fly tied on a few inches above the jig. Some don’t like the fly but others say they like having the added attraction on the lure. Some report they catch as many on the fly as on the jig. Remember how dark it is down in the depths-then add the brightness or gloominess of the day-to choose which colors you are going to use. Change bait often-keep it fresh. Drop that jig straight down to the bottom or some cast out-reel in-and then reel up a couple of cranks and go back down to the bottom. A quick twitch up and back down several times-or you may prefer to have a slower up and down motion. Figure out what works for you. A few boats are trolling-do whatever works for you while you enjoy the outdoors.
Bonus amounts are paid to the anglers as their total goes up, The bonus amounts go up every 25 fish. Once you have your eleventh fish entered you begin to add up the bonus dollars. Check out the website www.mackdays.com for the bonus chart, rules, fish ID, etc. There are several categories for anglers-Top Twenty Angler, Ladies, 12 & Under, 13-17, Smallest Lake Trout, etc. Plus there are 20 lottery drawings from $2,000 to $600.
Kolton Turner of Columbia Falls has the lead in the Top Twenty with 591, Bob Turner of Columbia Falls is 2nd with 533, 3rd Patrick Casey of Townsend-338, 4th Devon Bukowski of Kalispell-302, 5th Jerry Benson-Plains-263, 6th Larry Ashwell-Missoula-237, 7th Clint Speer-Kalispell-237, 8th and 9th Gene Corne-Kalispell-202 and Terry Krogstad-Kalispell-202, 10th Julie Perkins-Kalispell-166, 11th Jack Kirkland-Lolo-164, David Kelch of Great Falls-12th 163, 13th Mike Benson-Lonepine-144, 14th Mike Colyer-Missoula-130, 15th Ken Varga of Kalispell-128, 16th Steven Andrachick of Kalispell-118, Angie Morrow of Kalispell is 17th with 115, 18th Marty Herak of Polson-96, 19th Michael Stevenson of Kalispell-78, and 20th Brodie Smith of Kalispell with 76.
100 fish limits totals are exciting to see come in. Catching 100 fish a day is tough. Everything has to go right-no fish tangles, no strong winds, no large lake trout-it takes time to release a large fish. They just need to have a good fishing day but when you don’t get 100 you have to accept your number-hard to do. There have been 11-100 fish limits turned in so far. Every fish counts and every angler is important to the events-one fish to 100. Thank you anglers!
Brodie Smith leads the 13-17 category with his 76. The 12 & Under leader is Mason Persico of Missoula with 11 and Carter Lindsay of Pablo is 2nd with 5 lake trout.
Julie Perkins is 1st in the Ladies with 166, 2nd Angie Morrow with 115, 3rd Shaunda Albert of Ronan with 19, Connie Jones of Kalispell is 4th with 5.
Jerry Benson is 1st in the 70 & Over with 263, 2nd Terry Krogstad-202, 3rd Jack Kirkland-164, 4th Mike Benson-144, and 5th Marty Herak with 96.
The Smallest Lake Trout category has heated up with several entries coming in. Julie Perkins has the smallest so far with a 171mm (6.75”)-just a little longer than a pencil. Weston Turner of Columbia Falls is in second with a 181mm lake trout. Larry Ashwell of Missoula has two just a tiny bit too long at 185mm.
The largest lake trout 36” and over will be entered with a dated photo of the fish and a measuring device showing how long it is. Anglers are encouraged to release the large lakers. The award will be split among the photo entrants. Slot lake trout (30-36”) are illegal to bring in. That is a lake wide regulation. Send your photos to Mack Days to be entered.
Fish entries are taken every day Monday-Sunday. Come out and be part of this effort to increase the native fish in Flathead Lake. You could be a winner with just one fish entry.
Mack Days continues until Saturday May 9th. Entries are taken until the last day of the event. You can enter online on the website or enter at the end of a fishing day. Telephone 406-270-3386 if you have questions.
Tight lines everyone!
Photo caption: Mason Persico of Missoula enjoying Mack Days fishing.