Turner takes first place in fourth week of Mack Days competition
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FLATHEAD LAKE – Lake trout anglers have completed four weekends of the nine-week 2021 Spring Mack Days fishing event.
The event is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. There are to $225,000 in cash and prizes that will be awarded at the conclusion of the fishing event on May 16.
A total of 14,068 lake trout have been entered.
Friday’s total was 1,060. On a very windy and cold Saturday the total was 64 entries. Most anglers did not go out on the water, and several drove to boat ramps and anxiously watched and waited for calmer waters that never came. Sunday was a much better weather day, and there were 1,498 lake trout turned in. Some anglers fish as many days as possible others fish a few chosen days, and some only fish one day.
Many boats are leaving the boat ramp areas before dawn and not returning until late evening. Every angler counts and contributes to the goal of increasing native fish numbers in Flathead Lake by decreasing the population of the non-native lake trout. There have been several hours of lake trout angling by the 185 anglers of all ages.
Jaws, the fish worth $10,000, is still swimming in the lake. He, along with three $5,000 fish; five $1,000; and over 9,000 $500 to $100 fish, are waiting for just the right lures. Matt Guckenberg Sr., of Kalispell, was lucky enough to bring in $100 and a $500 lake trout. Travis Banyai, of Kalispell, was another lucky angler with $200 and $100 tagged lakers. Chris Shae and Bob Turner, of Kalispell, each had $100 tagged lake trout. There have been 34 tagged lake trout turned in so far.
Once anglers turn in 11 fish they begin to accumulate bonus dollars. Go to www.mackdays.com to see the bonus chart, rules, entry form, fish ID and more or call 406-270-3386 for information.
Kolton Turner, of Kalispell, is in first place in the top 20 angler category with 892 entries. He has turned in the limit of 100 lake trout for five days. He had 100 on Friday, chose not to fish on Saturday, and 100 fish entries on Sunday. Jason Mahlen, of Kalispell, is second with 855. He also has five 100 fish days. His total on Friday was 93, Saturday he did not fish, and Sunday he turned in 100. Bob Turner has 734 for third. He turned in 87 on Friday, none on Saturday, and 90 on Sunday.
Jack Kirkland, of Missoula, leads the 70 and over category with 256 lake trout entries. Larry Karper, of Florence, is second with 213. Larry Ashwell, of Missoula, is third with 194.
Julie Perkins, of Kalispell, continues her lead in the ladies category with 183. Second place is Connie Jones, of Kalispell, with 50. Third place is Debbie Paine, of Polson, with 27.
Matt Guckenberg Jr., of Kalispell, has a total of 158 for first in the 13-17 category. Second place is Abby Hodgson, of Kalispell, with 26. Third place is Josey McIlhargey, of Kalispell, with 23.
