Mack Days anglers brave snow and bluster

It was a blustery, cold, snowy first weekend for Spring Mack Days anglers on Flathead Lake. But those who turned out were determined and successful as they fought the cold temps and wet weather.

Thirty anglers, out of the 262 registered in the event, fished the first weekend. They turned in a total of 1,831 lake trout from Friday to Sunday.

Thursday was the first day of the Monday-Thursday fishing with a total of 37 lake trout brought in by wind-blown anglers Patrick Casey of Townsend and Jerry Benson of Plains. They were two against the wind and the big waves rolling on the lake.

The week-one final total came to 1,868. Fridays total came to 907, with the first 100-catch limit of lake trout turned in by Bob Turner of Columbia Falls with Kolton Turner coming in seconds later with another count of 100 lake trout. Other high counts were: Ken Varga of Kalispell with 76 and Larry Ashwell of Missoula with 73.

Saturday started out with snow coming down, making it look winter-wonderland weather instead of fishing weather. Once again, Bob and Kolton Turner hit the 100-fish limit with Patrick Casey also joining the 100 club.

The next largest number of lake trout was 58, turned in by Jerry Benson. Saturday’s total came to 487. 

On Sunday, 100 fish limits were reached again by the father-son-duo from Columbia Falls. These guys have three 100-fish days so far, helping bring the total for Sunday fishing to 437.

Top Twenty Angler after the first weekend include Kolton and Bob Turner of Columbia Falls in first and second with 300 apiece; followed Jerry Benson of Plains with 160, Patrick Casey of Townsend with 155, Devon Bukowski of Kalispell at 113, Clint Speer of Kalispell at 96, Mike Benson of Lonepine at 79, Gene Corne of Kalispell at 78, Ken Varga of Kalispell at 76, and Larry Ashwell of Missoula with 73.

Angie Morrow of Kalispell leads the Ladies Category with 70 lake trout entries.

The 13-17 Category leader is Brodie Smith of Kalispell with 44 turned in on Saturday. Aiden Brewer of Stevensville turned in a nice lake trout and is leading the 12 and under with two fish. One was the largest fish in the boat!

Jerry Benson heads the 70 & Over with 160 lake trout entries.

A $200 tagged lake trout was turned in by Kolton Turner on Saturday and Bob Turner turned in a $100 tagged lake trout.

Winners of the first weekend prizes are: Larry Ludahl of Kalispell, $200, and Jerry Benson of Plains and Kolton Turner of Columbia Falls with $100 each.

Last year’s Spring Mack Days holds the record of the most lake trout entered with 60,138. Five-time first place winner Kolton Turner holds the record of highest number with 2,320 hauled in during the 2025 spring event.

The 2026 Spring Mack Days continues until May 9 and offers anglers an opportunity to help restore the native trout species of Flathead Lake.

Lottery drawings begin at $2,000 and go to $600 and every lake trout entry offers a chance to win one of these cash prizes. Bonus dollars, tagged fish with values from $100 to $10,000, and prizes for largest and smallest lake trout are just a few of the ways to anglers can win while reducing the numbers of these predatory fish.

Entries are taken until the last day of the event and there is no entry fee. For more information, head to www.mackdays.com.