Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake kicks off March 12
Daily Inter Lake | Valley Press-Mineral Independent | UPDATED 5 days, 13 hours AGO
Tristan holds his 38.25-inch catch during the 2025 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event. (Courtesy photo)
The Spring Mack Days fishing event on Flathead Lake begins Thursday, March 12 and will end on Saturday, May 9.
The annual contest includes nine weeks of lake trout angling on one of the most beautiful spots in Montana. Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and are used as a fish conservation tool to reduce the non-native lake trout and increase the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout which are an important piece of the Flathead Lake system. Lake trout were introduced into the lake in 1905 and the increased populations of this predatory fish has put the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations at risk.
Lake trout anglers can fish Monday to Sunday with every lake trout entry giving them a chance in the lottery drawings that begin at $600 and go up to $2,000. Prize amounts are different for Monday to Thursday and Friday to Sunday.
Top-20 lake trout anglers receive cash prizes depending on their placing. Tagged lake trout are in all areas of the lake with values that begin at $10,000.
The event is designed for everyone and there are different categories for women, youth 12 and under, 13-17 youth, 70 and over, largest lake trout over 36 inches, and smallest lake trout.
The largest lake trout entry rules have changed and lake trout over 36 inches are to be released after measuring and verifying with a date stamped photo.
Lake trout entries will even be taken at the end of the day after you come in after fishing. Entries are to be turned in the same day as caught.
For more information, contact Cindy at (406) 270-3386 or Joe at (406) 274-0613.