Big prize fish evades anglers at Mack Days
Stephanie Gillin CSKT Division of Wildlife | Bigfork Eagle | UPDATED 6 days, 6 hours AGO
Mason Persico of Missoula enjoying Mack Days fishing. (Courtesy photo)
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-week event will continue until Saturday May 9.
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. Spring weather with winds, snow and rain have given the anglers a few rough days on the water but they keep on fishing.
Kolton Turner of Kalispell is still leading the anglers with 733. Bob Turner is second with 651. Coming on strong in third is Patrick Casey of Townsend. Patrick had 100 fish all three days.
Mason Persico of Missoula is first in the 12 and under with 25. Brodie Smith of Kalispell has 149 in the 13-17 category.
Julie Perkins is first in the Ladies with 351.
The 70 and over leader is Larry Ashwell with 436.