Thompson Falls man catches $500 lake trout

Clark Fork Valley Press

Thompson Falls angler Sam Sacchi turned in a $200 tagged lake trout last weekend in the Mack Days fishing tournament.

Sacchi was one of many anglers whom braved wintery conditions during the sixth week of the event.

A total of 10,301 lake trout entries have been were turned in. The week six weekend total was 536 with 210 Friday, 182 Saturday and 144 Sunday. Monday through Thursday fishing total was 296.

The $10,000 tagged lake trout plus three $5,000 and five $1,000 tagged fish are also out in Flathead Lake and there are over 9,000 with values from $100 to $500. Angler Larry Ashwell celebrated his birthday with a $500 tagged lake trout on a blistery and snowy Sunday afternoon.

There are four weeks left in the 2020 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event on Flathead Lake. Up to $200,000 in cash and prizes sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will be awarded to participating anglers at the conclusion of the event on Nov. 15.

Mack Days are used as a tool by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake and increase the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations in the lake.