With the second week of 2025 Spring Mack Days in the rearview mirror, anglers still have seven more weekends to enter before the final day on May 10.

Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and are used as a tool to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. The event offers up to $225,000 in cash and prizes that will be awarded at the conclusion of the event.

There are many ways to win in the competition. Anglers can compete as many days as they like; all it takes is one lake trout entry to be eligible in the lottery drawings for prizes from $100 to $2,000. As the total number of entries goes up, anglers earn bonus dollars to help pay for the expenses of fishing this big lake and helping to restore a balance in the fisheries population for native bull trout and weststlope cutthroat trout.

The big question, of course, is will “Willy” – the $10,000 lake trout – take the bait? Willy is still lurking in the deep, dark, depths of the lake.

Other tagged fish have been released all around the lake with three valued at $5,000, five at $1,000 and more than 9,000 with values from $100-$500. Turning in tagged fish the past week were: Cole Burger of Columbia Falls-$100, Devon Bukowski of Kalispell-$200 and $100, Dave Myers of Riverton, Wyo.-$100, Tristan Persico of Missoula-$100, Kolton Turner of Kalispell-$100, Michael Stevenson of Kalispell-$100, Larry Ludahl of Kalispell-$100, Bob Bouchee of Missoula-$200, and Julie Perkins of Kalispell-$100.

Last weekend’s weather was tough on the Flathead Lake Mack Days anglers. Cold winds, rough water, rain and snow – typical Montana spring weather – hampered them all weekend long. That didn’t slow the big numbers of lake trout from coming in, bringing the overall total to 12,769. Friday’s total was 1,434, Saturday’s was 1,564, and Sunday’s was 1,573; the Monday-to-Thursday total was 2,736. 

Leading these hard-core anglers is Bob Turner and his son, Kolton Turner. They have fished together from the same boat for years. So far, they’ve accrued seven 100-fish days in a row, starting on the first day of the event and continuing each Friday-Sunday since.

They are tied in first place in the Top Twenty Category with 600 each. The Thursday fish do not count on the weekend totals but are added to their bonus total at the end of the event. 

Jason Mahlen of Kalispell is closing in on the duo with a total of 581 lake trout entries, including five 100-fish days. Holding down fourth place is Clint Speer of Kalispell with 489, followed by Jerry Benson of Plains with 455, David Myers of Riverton. Wyo., with 426, Mike Benson of Lonepine with 397, Gene Corne of Kalispell with 377, Larry Ludahl of Kalispell with 347, and Terry Krogstad of Kalispell with 344.

The youth anglers are also tough going out in the unpredictable spring weather and putting their skills to the test. Brodie Smith of Kalispell leads the 13-17 category with 205 and Benjamin Dieterich of Kalispell is first in the 12 & Under with 20.

Veteran angler Julie Perkins of Kalispell caught 234 to lead the Ladies Category, followed by Janey Myers of Riverton, Wyo., with 103, Connie Jones of Kalispell with 52, and Laurie Bouley of Columbia Falls and Shaunda Albert of Pablo, who are tied with 24 lake trout entries each.

Smallest lake trout entries are Missoula’s Mike Colyers with a 164mm lake trout (6.5”) and Dave Myers with 194mm (7.5”). The largest lake trout is the 38-inch, 20.35 pounder turned in by Phil Sanger of Austin, Texas, although Jason Kollmer of Missoula turned in an entry that was just slightly under that total.

The first day of the Bucket Fish competition is Friday, March 28. Anglers put four of their heaviest lake trout in a bucket and a weight is taken. The owner of the heaviest bucket wins $200.

Weekend winners for the second week were Erick Weber of Kalispell, $200; and Jason Mahlen, Travis Banyai, Shawn Halstad and Larry Ludahl, who each received $100.

For information on the event, including how to ID fish ID and fishing tips, head to www.mackdays.com.

CSKT reminds everyone to think safety first and be prepared. Keep informed of weather conditions, always have a plan and let someone know your plan.

    Jason Kollmer of Missoula shows off his large lake trout entry from last week's Mack Days. (Courtesy photo)