Kolton Turner wins Spring Mack Days event

Kalispell’s Kolton Turner finished at the top of the heap at the Spring Mack Days fishing tournament on Flathead Lake.

Turner submitted 2,089 entries and had an 18-day average of 95.72. Jason Mahlen, also of Kalispell, placed second with 1,639 entries and an 88.61 average. Placing third was Kalispell’s Robert Turner with 1,696 entries and a 78.28 average.

The tournament ended Saturday, May 13, with a total of 33,297 lake trout that were entered by 200 anglers. The 40,362 entries tallied in the 2019 spring event is the record.

The total fish count for the last weekend was at 1,514 lake trout.

This Mack Days event is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. These events take place twice a year, in the spring and the fall, and are aimed at reducing the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake.

Top 10 anglers:  Kolton Turner of Kalispell, 2,089; Jason Mahlen of Kalispell, 1,639; Robert Turner of Kalispell, 1,696; Clint Speer of Kalispell, 1,077; Travis Banyai of Lakeside, 1,085; Mike Benson of Lonepine, 1,087; Jerry Benson of Plains, 1,069; Steven Benson of Spokane Valley, 864; Terry Krogstad of Kalispell, 840; Ken Varga of Kalispell, 687.

Top 10 Ladies: Leah Banyai of Kalispell, 312; Julie Perkins of Kalispell, 184; Connie Jones of Kalispell, 98; Nicole Peters of Missoula, 14. 

70 & Over: Larry Karper of Florence, 593; Larry Ashwell of Missoula, 586; Jack Kirkland-Lolo, 479.

13-17 Category/ 12 & Under: Brodie Smith of Kalispell, 285; Matt Guckenberg Jr of Kalispell, 41; Josey McIlhargey of Kalispell, 27.  Wyatt Best of Florence, 17; Leon Thao of Missoula, 12; and Hadley Steen of Kalispell, 5. 

The $10,000 tagged lake trout along with its counterparts did not give in during this event. Turning in $100 tagged lake trout for the ninth week were: Brian McDowell of Kalispell, Mike Benson, Travis Banyai and David McDaniel of Polson. Turning in a $500 tagged lake trout was Mike Benson.

Spirit of the event awards went to Gene Corne of Kalispell and Jake North of Denton.

Bryan Long of Kalispell won the largest lake trout award with his 36.6-pound 45.5-inch lake trout entry.

Smallest lake trout winners were Jerry Benson of Plains, 151 mm and Steven Bensons 157mm.

Rick Skates of Polson won overall bucket of fish contest. He turned in heaviest buckets twice and came in second once. Mike Colyers boat came in second and David McDaniel of Polson was third.

Captains prize winners were Dave Hoback-Arlee, Todd Wood-Ronan, Mike Colyer-Missoula and Tom Kemppainen of Kalispell. 

Winners of the Siberian coolers were David McDaniel, Clint Speer and Ber Yang of Missoula.

The 2023 Fall Mack Days Event will begin Sept. 14 and end Nov.12. There is no entry fee.