Mack Days wraps up Sunday

Anglers so far have caught 31,975 fish

Pablo angler Stephen Naethe continues to lead the spring Mack Days Fishing Event heading into its final weekend.

A total of 31,975 lake trout have been turned in over the past 10 weekends by anglers on Flathead Lake.

Last Friday’s total was 1,321 trout, with three anglers turning in 50-fish limits: Steve Benson of Columbia Falls, Dan Long of Columbia Falls and Naethe.

Saturday’s total was 1,056, with three 50-fish limits: Long, David McDaniels of Polson and Terry Krogstad of Kalispell. Sunday the total was 1,118, with two 50-fish limits: Mike Benson of Hot Springs and Roger Smart of Ronan.

Naethe, 17, leads overall with 1,317 lake trout entries and a perfect 50-fish limit over 15 days. Following him is Steven Benson of Columbia Falls with 1,105 fish, Michael Benson of Lonepine with 953, and McDaniels with 940.

The top 10 angler prizes, ranging from $750 to $200, are determined by the best 15-day totals the anglers have.

Tagged fish worth $100 were turned in by Naethe, Daniel Hunt of St. Ignatius, Frank Parot of Polson, Dan Long, Doug Bolender of Kalispell, Justin Shockley of Plains, Charles Forgey, and Ray Dalke of Polson. Roger Dilts of Polson turned in a $200 tagged fish. There are still more than 2,000 tagged lake trout with values from $100 to $5,000.

Women are led by Nicole Peters of Missoula, 336; Laurie Randall of St. Ignatius, 236; Debbie O’Hara, St. Ignatius, 193; Deana Knipe, Polson, 153; and Teena Zempel, Ravalli, 117.

Following Naethe in the youth division, ages 13 to 17, are Brady Weible, Charlo, 174; Connor Kowalski, Florence, 66; Terry Biere, Butte, 52, and Scott Gilleard, Charlo, 21.

Mack Days concludes on Sunday with last-day awards and a fish fry for participants and families starting at 4 p.m. at Blue Bay.