2026 Spring Mack Days: Week 4 Results by CSKT

Spring fishing weather finally showed up and the fishing lines were hitting the water all around the lake during the 4^th weekend of the 2026 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event on Flathead Lake. Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.  Lake trout anglers came out and enjoyed the warmer weather and spectacular scenery while helping in this fish conservation effort to reduce the non-native lake trout numbers. The event continues until May 9^th. Entries are taken until the last day. The boat launch area at Blue Bay was full with boaters coming and going all day Friday and Saturday-if needed there is parking in the campground area for the overflow of trailers. 

A fee of $12 daily-boat ramp/parking or a $85/yearly fee is charged. Blue Bay is owned by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the boat ramp area is open for public use. CSKT does not receive state campground fee money that is attached to the license plate fees in the state. The fees charged at Blue Bay is money that is used for upkeep and maintenance of the area. Thank you for your cooperation. Anglers are hitting the lake in the early dawn hours of the day. Starting a little before six they start lining up and rolling out to the boat ramp. They use the moonlight to light their way-great way to start the day. Most days these lake trout anglers are staying on the water until dusk. They have to be in before dark or 9:00 whichever comes first. Being out there 10+ hours is the norm for many of them. 

The $10,000 tagged lake trout has not been turned in. He is waiting for just the right lure and it could be yours. There are also 3-$5,000 and 5-$1,000 tagged lake trout along with over 10,000 with values from $100-$500. Marty Herak of Polson turned in a $100 tagged lake trout and Britton Salois of Pablo hooked onto a $100 tagged lake trout. Terry Krogstad of Kalispell turned in a $200 tagged fish and Ber Yang of Missoula, and Jason Mahlen of Kalispell $100.  Since the CSKT began tagging fish-three $10,000 taggers have been turned in-2021 Fall, 2020 Spring, and 2014 Fall. 

Friday two anglers came in with their 100 limits-Larry Ashwell of Missoula and Ken Varga of Kalispell had perfect fish counts. It was a fantastic day for several anglers. Total for Fridays catch was 1,680-the highest day of the event so far. Saturday the total came to 1,658, and Sunday-1047. Monday-Thursday total is at 2,328, Friday-Sunday-13,417 and a total count of 15,745 for all days. These anglers are doing a fantastic job.

Kolton Turner of Kalispell is 1^st in the Top Twenty with 915-80 Friday, 40-Saturday, and 62 on Sunday. 2^nd Patrick Casey of Townsend-824-85,33, and 68, 3^rd Bob Turner of Kalispell-780-40, 36, 53, 4^th Terry Krogstad-Kalispell-660-91, 79, 73, 5^th Larry Ashwell-Missoula-100, 79, 41, 6^th Devon Burkowski-Kalispell-611-35, 65, 71, 7^th and 8^th Julie Perkins-Kalispell-567-78, 81, 57, and Jerry Benson-Plains-567, 60,46, 72, 9^th Jack Kirkland-Lolo-526-79,69,36, 10^th Mike Benson-Lonepine-457-72,50,60. Clint Speer of Kalispell is 11^th  with 444, 12^th David Kelch of Great Falls-366, 13^th Marty Herak of Polson-347, 14^th Gene Corne of Kalispell-343, 15^th Larry Karper of Florence-300, 16^th Brodie Smith-Kalispell-295, 17^th Ken Varga-Kalispell-280, 18^th Larry Ludahl-Kalispell-252, 19^th Steven Andrachick-Kalispell-251, and 20^th Jim Flinchbaugh-Kalispell-239.  

The Ladies leader is Julie Perkins of Kalispell. Her total is 567. Angie Morrow of Kalispell is 2^nd with 216, 3^rd Shaunda Albert of Ronan with 157, Laurie Kreis of Huson is 4^th with 54, and Sara Bair of Dillon is 5^th with 8. 

Carter Lindsay of Pablo is 1^st in the 12 & Under with 30, 2^nd Lincoln Gauci of Florence-28, 3^rd Mason Persico of Missoula with 25, 4^th Allyvia Yang of Missoula-11, and 5^th Wyatt Best of Florence with 9. Brodie Smith of Kalispell is 1^st in the 13-17 category with 295 and Charles Hogenson of Polson and Ellis Stammers of Charlo each have 2 lake trout entered. 

Largest lake trout entries-Over 36”-must be alive and anglers are encouraged to release the large fish as soon they have a picture with the measurement showing. Scott Hale of Lolo-39”, Will Larson of Missoula-38”, Bob Stewart of Kalispell-36.5” Matt Brazda-Missoula-36.25”, and Jack Kirkland of Lolo-36.25”.

Julie Perkins has the smallest entry at 171mm (6.75”) and Clint Speer of Kalispell came in with a 173mm lake trout. 

Fishing tip—finding the lake trout is just part of the story-they say you have to be and stay above the fish and vertical jig from the bottom. Use cut bait—add a little smelly fish bait lotion to it and keep it fresh. Don’t leave it on for hours. Some say they jig up a couple of reels and let the jig set a bit. Watch the tip of your pole. As soon as you feel something hit it or see the tip wiggle-you set the hook and reel up the fish. Jigging action does not have to be high and hard jerks-try different jigging actions if they aren’t hitting.  The lake trout sometimes are slow and lazy.  They don’t want to move far to feed. Lighter small jigging movements may be more successful. Others go to the bottom and fish up off the bottom. Keep trying you will figure it out. Flathead Lake is a large lake. It is a good idea to talk to other anglers-bait shops-in the area to get an idea of where to go and what to use. A bathymetric map of the lake is an important tool to have if you are unfamiliar with the lake depths and areas.

Be prepared and be alert to changing weather conditions. Have your life vest (PFD) on your back. Use common sense and come off the water during the stormy weather. 

For information go to the website www.mackdays.com and click on the events tab. 

Thank you to all of the great anglers who are participating in this event. You make it the success that it is.

Thank you anglers!! Tight lines everyone!

Good luck and tight lines everyone!

-cskt-