Spring Mack Days: $10,000 lake trout remains elusive

Two weeks into the 2026 Spring Mack Days Fishing Event, 5,105 lake trout entries have been turned in by 70 anglers out of the 289 who are registered.

Sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the event will continue until May 9. Mack Days events are fish conservation efforts, designed to reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout and increase the numbers of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in Flathead Lake.

Friday’s total catch came to 1,004; Saturday, 1,188; and Sunday, 1,092. From Monday through Thursday of last week, the total was at 1,065.    

The $10,000 tagged lake trout “Chase” has been evading the anglers. Chase is named after the $10,000 bill that is no longer in circulation but still legal tender. Salmon P. Chase was the face on the bill, and he’s lurking in the dark murky depths of Flathead Lake waiting for the right lure to be dropped down in front of him before he bites.

There are also three $5,000 fish, five valued at $1,000 and over 9,000 with values from $100-$500. Tagged lake trout were turned in the second week from Bob Turner, Kalispell, and Sheldon Woldstad, Somers, turned in $100 tagged fish last week, and Larry Ashwell of Missoula turned in one worth $200.

Bonus amounts are paid to the anglers as their totals go up by 25 fish (after they’ve caught 11). There are several categories for anglers as well and 20 lottery drawings from $2,000 to $600. For details, visit mackdays.com.

Kolton Turner of Columbia Falls holds the lead in the Top Twenty category with 591, followed by Bob Turner of Columbia Falls with 533, Patrick Casey of Townsend with 338, Devon Bukowski of Kalispell with 302, and Jerry Benson of Plains with 263.

Catching 100 fish a day is tough. Everything has to go right – no fish tangles, no strong winds, no large lake trout because it takes time to release a large fish. There have been 11 100-fish limits turned in so far this spring. Every fish counts and every angler is important to the events, from one fish to 100. Thank you anglers!

Brodie Smith leads the 13-17 category with 76. The 12 & Under leader is Mason Persico of Missoula with 11 and Carter Lindsay of Pablo follows with five lake trout.

Julie Perkins is first in the Ladies with 166, followed by Angie Morrow with 115, Shaunda Albert of Ronan with 19, and Connie Jones of Kalispell with 5.

Jerry Benson is first in the 70 & Over with 263; he’s followed by Terry Krogstad with 202, Jack Kirkland with 164, Mike Benson with 144, and Marty Herak with 96.

The Smallest Lake Trout category has heated up with several entries coming in. Julie Perkins has the smallest so far with a 171 mm (6.75 inches) – just a little longer than a pencil. Weston Turner of Columbia Falls is in second with a 181 mm lake trout. Larry Ashwell of Missoula has two just a tiny bit too long at 185 mm.

The largest lake trout measuring 36 inches and over will be entered with a dated photo of the fish and a measuring device showing how long it is. Anglers are encouraged to release the large lakers. The award will be split among the photo entrants.

Slot lake trout (measuring from 30-36 inches) are illegal to bring in. That is a lake-wide regulation. Send your photos to Mack Days to be entered.

Fishing Tip: Jigging in depths from 80-to-240 feet takes a jig weighing from 3/8 oz. up to 2 oz. (if there is a lot of current), with special fish scent slathered on like shaving cream for some of these fish to be attracted to it. The scents come in all flavors and jigs come in all colors with some having added fluorescent glows on them.

Many anglers will also have a fly tied on a few inches above the jig. Some don’t like the fly but others say they like having the added attraction on the lure. Some report they catch as many on the fly as on the jig.

Remember how dark it is down in the depths, then consider the brightness or gloominess of the day, to choose which colors you are going to use. Change bait often – keep it fresh.

Many anglers drop that jig straight down to the bottom or some cast out, reel in and then reel up a couple of cranks and go back down to the bottom, with a quick twitch up and back down several times. Or, they may prefer to have a slower up and down motion. A few boats are trolling. Figure out what works while enjoying the outdoors.

Fish entries are taken every day, Monday-Sunday. Come out and be part of this effort to increase the native fish in Flathead Lake. You could be a winner with just one fish entry.

Entries are taken until the last day of the event on May 9. You can enter online at the end of a fishing day. Call 406-270-3386 if you have questions.

Tight lines everyone!