Nice weekend amps up action at Spring Mack Days

Spring fishing weather finally showed up and the fishing lines were hitting the water all around the lake during the fourth weekend of the 2026 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event on Flathead Lake.

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 hit tags worth $100. 

The $10,000 tagged lake trout has not been turned in. There are also three $5,000 and five $1,000 tagged lake trout along with over 10,000 with values from $100-$500.

On 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 Friday's catch was 1,680, which is the highest day of the event so far. Saturday the total came to 1,658, and Sunday it hit 1,047. 

Kolton Turner of Kalispell is first in the Top 20 with 915. Patrick Casey of Townsend is second at 824 and Bob Turner of Kalispell is third at 780.

The Ladies leader is Julie Perkins of Kalispell. Her total is 567.

Carter Lindsay of Pablo is first in the 12-and-under with 30. Brodie Smith of Kalispell is first in the 13-17 category with 295.

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 mackdays.com.