Kalispell's Turner maintains overall Mack Days lead

Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes continues with the third week total of 3,963 lake trout entries, which is the highest so far in the event.

Totals for the three days were Friday-1,341, Saturday-1,604, and Sunday-1,018. Monday to Thursday total was 398 entries, bringing that total to 1,074 for eight days of weekday fishing.

The lake trout final total for three weeks is at 11,125.

One hundred sixty-eight anglers have turned in one or more entries out of the 675 anglers registered. Every angler in the event is an important part of the success of Mack Days. All it takes is one fish to be entered in the lottery drawings and be a winner!

It was a great Easter weekend for leading angler Kolton Turner of Kalispell. His basket was full with his limit of 100 fish all three days. His total is at 692.

Jason Mahlen of Kalispell almost matched with two days of 104 in a

row and a Sunday total of 92 entries. His total is now at 662. Bob Turner of Kalispell had a few more than Jason for the weekend for another almost full count with two 100 fish days and a ninety-six on Saturday and ended with a final total of 557.

Sam Cusker of Bigfork is in fourth with 377-100 on Friday-56-Saturday, and Easter eggs on Sunday-fun times with family. No fish can replace that!

Steve Benson of Spokane Valley is fifth with 366, Ken Varga-Kalispell sixth 350, seventh Mike Benson-Lonepine-348, eighth Tyler Varga-Kalispell-336, Scott Bombard-Missoula is ninth with 326, and Travis Banyai of Lakeside is 10th with 269.

Julie Perkins is the leading Lady Angler with 161, Connie Jones of Kalispell is second with 33, in third is Laurie Kreis-Huson-20, fourth is Lisa Cloo-Clinton-15, and in fifth Rebecca Spring-Alberton-14.

In the 70-and-over group, Larry Ashwell of Missoula is at 183, Larry Karper of Florence-second with 180, third-Jack Kirkland of Missoula-134, fourth Marty Herak of Polson-108, and John Gauci of Florence is fifth with 63.

Matt Guckenberg Jr. of Kalispell is first in the 13-17 Category with 93, in second is Josey McIlhargey of Kalispell with 23, third Abby Hodgson of Kalispell with 20, Colton Spacht of Culbertson is fourth with 13, and Bryce Harvey of Kalispell is fifth with 10.

Youth anglers are important to the events. They have a lot of potential for being the future leaders and anglers of management plans for the lake fishery. They have a great interest in the fishery and what has happened in Flathead Lake.

The $10,000 tagged lake trout, 3-$5,000, and 5-$1,000 along with over 9,000 with values from $500-$100 are still out there.

Turning in $100 tagged fish were: Dave Hoback-Arlee, Bob Turner (2), Mike Benson, Danner Shima-Kalispell, Mike Shae-Kalispell, Sam Cusker (2), Chris Shae-Kalispell, Justin Spring-Alberton, Joe Minnehan-Kalispell.

Lake trout valued at $200-Felix Gauci-Stevensville, Kolton Turner, Jason Mahlen, and Connie Jones.

Winners of a special drawing on Easter were: Ellis Surratt of Huson-Siberian Soft Side Cooler, Chris Shae-Powell Rod, and Bob Turner Siberian insulated mug.

Weekend winners for the third weekend drawing of $100 each were: Chris Shae, Mike Benson, Scott Bombard, Sheldon Woldstad of Somers, and Sou Thao of Florence.

The event continues on for six more weeks of Flathead Lake fishing

Pickups are done Friday to Sunday at Somers-3:30 to 4:30 at the state boat ramp, Wayfarer State Park boat ramp-5-5:30, Big Arm-5-5:30 and Salish Point-6-6:30.

Anglers can turn fish in at Blue Bay from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Monday to Thursday all fish are to be turned in to Blue Bay before 6 p.m.

Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event and there is no entry fee. For more information please visit www.mackdays.com.