Spring Mack Days wraps up with 35,089 entries
Jack Kirkland of Missoula won the Largest Lake Trout awardwith a 42-inch, 24.4 lb. monster, which he released back into the lake.
The 2024 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, ended Saturday with a grant total of 35,089 lake trout entered during the nine-week long fishing event.
Making a difference for the future of native fish in Flathead lake is the goal behind these bi-annual fishing events that focus on reducing the non-native lake trout. Native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations are just a fraction of what they once were. Anglers are an important part of the management toolbox, which aims to reduce non-native fish numbers.
The leader in the Top Twenty category was Kolton Turner of Kalispell. He turned in a total of 2,283 lake trout entries and had an 18-day average of 100 fish per day. He also set a new record in fish totals for a spring event. Top Ten anglers are placed by their best 18-day average.
Second place angler Jason Mahlen of Kalispell has held the record fish total since the 2019 spring event with 2,134. Jason’s total for 2024 Spring came to 2,073 and his average for 18 days was 98.67.
Robert Turner of Kalispell came in third with 2,094 and a 97.11 average, followed by Clint Speer of Kalispell with 1,257, Gene Corne of Kalispell with 1,076, Jerry Benson of Plains with 1,025, Ken Varga of Kalispell 1,005, Mike Benson of Lonepine with 989, Travis Banyai of Kalispell with 934 and Tyler Varga of Kalispell with 866.
Ladies leader was Julie Perkins of Kalispell with 310. Shirley Batz of Kalispell came in second with 129, followed by Corrine McCubbins of Kalispell with 79, Laurie Kreis of Huson with 49, and Melissa Triano of Bigfork with 24.
Winner of the 70 and Over category was Larry Ashwell, followed by Felix Gauci and Jack Kirkland. Brodie Smith of Kalispell was first in the 13-17 Category with 442; and Eli Yang of Missoula was first in 12 and Under with 31.
Jack Kirkland of Missoula won the Largest Lake Trout award, sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine, with a 42-inch, 24.4 lb. entry. The smallest lake trout winner was Gene Corne with a 164mm, 6.5” lake trout. In a three-way tie for second place with entries of 166mm were Gene Corne, Jason Mahlen and Kolton Turner.
Spirit of the Event awards went to Sou Thao of Missoula and Tyler Varga. They exemplify good anglers, are respectful to staff, and are good sportsmen.
Week 9 tagged fish winners were: Marty Herak of Polson, $200; and Mike Benson, Larry Ashwell, Travis Banyai and Terry Krogstad, $100.
Jerry Benson won first in the lottery drawings, followed by David Kelch of Great Falls, Jason Mahlen, Felix Gauci and Kolton Turner. There were 40 drawings and many other categories with winners.
CSKT thanks all participating anglers and welcomes them back for 2024 Fall Mack Days, Sept. 5-Nov. 3.