Spring weather brings out Mack Days competitors

Spring fishing weather finally arrived and 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, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Lake trout anglers 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 with entries taken until the last day.

The boat launch area at Blue Bay was full Friday and Saturday, with boaters coming and going all day at the East Shore launch. If needed, there is parking in the campground area for the overflow of trailers. A fee of $12 daily for 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 fees, and fees charged at Blue Bay are used for upkeep and maintenance of the area.

Anglers were hitting the lake in the early dawn hours last weekend, rolling out to the ramp a little before 6 a.m. Most days, these lake trout anglers stay on the water until dusk. They must be in before dark or 9 p.m., whichever comes first. Being out there 10-plus hours is the norm for many of them.

Chase, the $10,000 tagged lake trout, is waiting for just the right lure. There are also three lake trout tagged for $5,000 and five for $1,000 as well as 10,000 with values from $100-$500.

Marty Herak of Polson, Britton Salois of Pablo, Ber Yang of Missoula, and Jason Mahlen of Kalispell each hooked onto $100 tagged lake trout. Terry Krogstad of Kalispell turned in a $200 tagged fish. Since the CSKT began tagging fish, three anglers have turned in trout worth $10,000 in Fall 2014, Spring 2020 and Fall 2021.

Friday, two anglers came in with their 100 limits: Larry Ashwell of Missoula and Ken Varga of Kalispell had perfect fish counts. Total for Friday’s catch was 1,680 – the highest day of the event so far. Saturday, the total came to 1,658, and Sunday, 1047; and from Monday-Thursday, the total was at 2,328.

The overall totals are 13,417 for Friday-Sunday and 15,745 for all days. These anglers are doing a fantastic job.

Kolton Turner of Kalispell is first in the Top Twenty with a total of 915; he caught 80 Friday, 40 on Saturday, and 62 on Sunday. Next is Patrick Casey of Townsend with a total of 824; Bob Turner of Kalispell with 780; and Terry Krogstad of Kalispell with 660. Larry Ashwell of Missoula holds on to fifth, aided in part by reeling in 100 fish last Friday.

The Ladies leader is Julie Perkins of Kalispell with 567. Angie Morrow of Kalispell is second with 216, followed by Shaunda Albert of Ronan with 157, Laurie Kreis of Huson with 54, and Sara Bair of Dillon with 8.

Carter Lindsay of Pablo is first in the 12 & Under with 30, followed by Lincoln Gauci of Florence with 28, Mason Persico of Missoula with 25, Allyvia Yang of Missoula with 11, and Wyatt Best of Florence with 9. Brodie Smith of Kalispell is first in the 13-17 category with 295 and Charles Hogenson of Polson and Ellis Stammers of Charlo each have two lake trout entered.

Largest lake trout entries (over 36 inches, must be alive and anglers are encouraged to release them as soon as they have a picture with the measurement showing) have been turned in by Scott Hale of Lolo, 39 inches, Will Larson of Missoula with 38 inches, Bob Stewart of Kalispell with 36.5 inches, Matt Brazda of Missoula with 36.25 inches, and Jack Kirkland of Lolo with 36.25.

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

Fishing tip—finding the lake trout is just part of the story. Successful anglers say you have to stay above the fish and vertical jig from the bottom. Use cut bait and 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.

Anglers are also advised to watch the tip of their pole and as soon as they feel something hit it or see the tip wiggle to 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.

Lake trout are sometimes 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.

It’s a good idea to talk to other anglers and 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 for those who are unfamiliar with the lake depths and areas.

Wear life vests and use common sense and come off the water during stormy weather.

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