Three weeks into the 2026 Spring Mack Days, the lake trout are feeling the pressure as the total harvest climbs past 10,500, but the $10,000 superstar “Chase” remains the lake’s most eligible (and elusive) bachelor. While the spring weather has been a moody mix of snow and rain, it hasn’t dampened the spirits of Kolton Turner, who currently sits on the throne with 733 fish, though Patrick Casey is charging hard with a perfect triple-century weekend. From Larry Ashwell’s “one that got away” (and then got caught again just to return his lure) to the 351 fish leading the Ladies’ category by Julie Perkins, the competition is proving that helping native bull trout is a win-win—especially when there are lottery checks and bonus dollars on the line.
Here is the full update from CSKT:
2026 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes is moving into the fourth weekend of fishing excitement. This nine weeklong event will continue until Saturday May 9th. Entries will be taken until the last day of the event. Lottery drawings will begin at $200 and go to $2,000.
There are categories for everyone-Ladies, 12 and Under, 13-17, Over 70, Largest and Smallest Lake Trout, Top Twenty Anglers, Bonus $, and Tagged Fish. Go to the website www.mackdays.com and check out all of the ways you can win in this fishing event. This is an effort to reduce non-native lake trout and increase the important native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations in the lake. Entering is easy it is free-come out and be part of helping these fish numbers increase for the future.
“Chase” the $10,000 tagged lake trout has evaded the anglers during this event —so far. It is said he is the most sought-after lake trout in the lake. He could be lured out of hiding with the right bait on the end of a line and it could belong to anyone. Larry Ashwell thought he had him on Sunday. He caught a big fish that ran his line out a couple of times before getting him close to the boat. Right before he came up the third time he took off again and broke off the line. Disappointed Larry kept fishing and caught another large lake trout. As he reached out to bring him in after another struggle he noticed his lost lure hanging off the mouth of the fish. Lucky fish must have a tag in it—you don’t just get caught twice in a row and not be “the one”. It wasn’t meant to be—no fin clip—no tag—just a lucky lure to put back in the treasure box. Michael Stevenson of Kalispell turned in a $100 tagged lake trout and Jerry Benson of Plains with a $200 tagged laker.
Total catch so far is 10,543-Mon-Thurs 1,511 and Fri-Sun-9,032. Friday 1,627-Saturday 1,359, and Sunday-931. Spring weather with winds, snow, and rain have given the anglers a few rough days on the water but they keep on fishing and they earn each fish in their counts for bonus dollars that begin with an angler’s 11th fish entry and they earn a chance to win the categories, and lottery drawings. Check out the lottery prizes, bonus amounts, fish ID, safety tips, etc. at www.mackdays.com.
One third of the way through the nine-week long event on Flathead Lake and Kolton Turner of Kalispell is still leading the anglers with 733-49 lake trout Fri, 23 Sat, and 70 on Sunday. Bob Turner is 2nd with 651-50,14,54. Coming on strong in 3rd is Patrick Casey of Townsend. Patrick had 100 fish all three days. Devon Bukowski of Kalispell is 4th with 440-73,45,20, Larry Ashwell of Missoula is 5th with 436-94,68,37, 6th Terry Krogstad of Kalispell 417-76,100,39, 7th Jerry Benson of Plains 389-41,53,32, 8th Julie Perkins of Kalispell 351-97,70,18, 9th Jack Kirkland of Lolo 342-76,72,30, 10th Clint Speer of Kalispell 334-11,18,68.
Gene Corne of Kalispell is 11th with 300, Mike Benson of Lonepine 12th 275, 13th David Kelch of Great Falls 268, 14th Marty Herak of Polson 252, 15th Angie Morrow Kalispell 171, 16th Lyndon Lee of Canada 169, 17th Larry Karper Florence 163, 18th Steven Andrachick Kalispell 150, 19th Brodie Smith Kalispell 149, and 20th Matt Brazda of Missoula 142.Mason Persico of Missoula is 1st in the 12 & Under with 25, 2nd Lincoln Gauci of Florence 24, 3rd Carter Lindsay of Pablo 19, Wyatt Best of Florence 4th 9, Aiden Brewer of Stevensville 2, Eli Dutton Kalispell has 2, and Mary McGillvay of Bigfork 1.
Brodie Smith of Kalispell has 149 in the 13-17 Category.
Julie Perkins is 1st in the Ladies with 351, 2nd Angie Morrow-171, 3rd Shaunda Albert of Ronan-62, 4th Laurie Kreis of Huson-54, and Connie Jones of Kalispell has 7.
The 70 & Over leader is Larry Ashwell with 436, 2nd Terry Krogstad-417, 3rd Jerry Benson-389, 4th Jack Kirkland-342 and 5th Mike Benson-275.
Weekend winners were: $200 Jeff Hale of Lolo and $100 Bill Sorg of Kalispell and Laurie Kreis of Huson.
Come and enjoy fishing on Flathead Lake-enter on the website or enter at the end of the day. Fish pickup times and locations are listed.
Thank you anglers!! Tight lines everyone!
Good luck and tight lines everyone!