Spring Mack Days enters final weekend

The 100 fish limit was on the minds of many anglers on Friday, May 1 at Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake.

Ten anglers turned in their 100 fish limits of lake trout. The bite was on for them to have a perfect day of fishing. Total fish count on Friday was 2,544, which is the second highest day ever for fish entries. The highest day of fish entries was 3,030 on March 17 of 2017, which had a weekend total of 6,138. That had been that record until this year, with week 8's total of 6,451. 

Last Saturday, 2,389 lake trout were turned in with Sunday's total at 1,518 entries. This is a record setting year with a total of 54,550 lake trout entries so far and week nine yet to go.

Spring Mack Days will end on Saturday, May 10. All entries are to be turned in by 3 p.m. at Blue Bay. No fish pickups on that day. The lottery drawing winners will be posted and Top Anglers announced.

Kolton Turner of Kalispell has held onto the lead with a total of 2,220 entries and a 100 18-day average. Top ten anglers are placed by their 18-day average. 

Jason Mahlen of Kalispell is a close second with 2,143 and Bob Turner of Kalispell is third at 2,042. David Myers of Riverton, Wyo. if fourth at 2,082 and fifth is Clint Speer of Kalispell at 1,531. Plains' Jerry Benson sits in sixth at 1,460.

Friday's totals may change the averages for some placings this coming week. The competition for categories ends on Friday. Saturday is a separate day with its own prizes. Totals do count for bonus dollars. 

Lady angler Julie Perkins has 1,085 for her weekend count and came in on Wednesday with the first 100-fish limit in for a woman in the event. Janey Myers of Riverton, Wyo. is second with 480.

The youth anglers are amazing anglers and great sportsmen and women. Some have grown up during the Mack Days Events and move on into the adult categories and there are some new names appearing. They are the future of making a difference in Flathead Lake. 

Brodie Smith of Kalispell is first in the 13-17 category with 710, and is sitting 21st in the adult category.

First in the 12 and under category is Mason Persico of Missoula with 59.

Jerry Benson leads the 70 and over division with 1,460.

Turning in tagged lake trout were: Dave Myers, Carey Hauser, Bill Sorg, Jim Flinchbaugh, Kolton Turner, Weston Turner, Gene Corne, Matt Brazda, Larry Ashwell, Josh Morigeau and Shaunda Albert.

Jim Flinchbaugh Kalispell turned in a 156mm small lake trout on Friday. Gene Corne holds the title for the smallest lake trout entry in this event with a 155mm laker. 

Mack Days Fishing Events are used to reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. This is a fish conservation effort to increase the native bull trout and cutthroat trout populations. Anglers asked for and were given the chance to be a part of this effort and they are making a difference for the future of the native fish.

    Jim Crowe of Polson with granddaughter Emmy Lou turn in their lake trout at Spring Mack Days. (Photo provided)