2023 Spring Mack Days to begin
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News from the CSKT Natural Resources Department
FLATHEAD LAKE— 2023 Spring Mack Days will begin on Thursday, March 16. The days are getting longer and the number of days before 2023 Spring Mack Days begins are getting shorter. It is time to bring out the reels, poles, and lures and start planning and organizing. Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. The events are used as a tool to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. Increasing the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations is important to the fishery of Flathead Lake. Register for the event and help in this effort to sustain our native fish into the future for future generations.
It is 9 weeks of lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake from March 16 to May 13. Fish one day or several days - one fish entry gives you a chance to catch a tagged lake trout and/or win one of the lottery drawings!
There is up to $225,000 in cash and prizes sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. One $10,000 prize, three $5,000 prizes, five $1000 prizes, and over 9,000 $500-$100 prizes for tagged lake trout. Plus a $1,000 Bretz RV and Marine gift certificate for tagged lake trout. You never know when you will have a tagged lake trout on the end of your line. They have been released in all parts of the lake. They get caught from boats and from docks or the shore. We invite businesses to sponsor a tagged lake trout or a merchandise award which they can put a name on and an amount-$100, $200, $500, $1,000, $5,000, or the $10,000 tagged lake trout. For questions or comments telephone 406-270-3386.
Register online at www.mackdays.com on or before March 15 and enter at least one lake trout during the event to be eligible for one $200 cash drawing. Entries will continue to be taken until the last day of the event, or email your entry to cindy.benson@cskt.org. Include your name, address, telephone number and age.
The Top Twenty Anglers are the hard core men and women who fish every day from sun-up to sun-down for as many days as they can. They put a lot of effort, money, and time into the events helping us to achieve successful numbers of lake trout entries. They usually have a pole in each hand or holder and their eyes on the ends of the poles all day long. They are out in all kinds of weather. They come prepared and ready to fish! Flathead Lake regulations allow for two poles per person with two hooks. Many anglers jig-going to the bottom of the lake and jigging up off of it in the Spring Event. Depths vary from 120’ to 200’ depending on the day. You have to try different depths and colored jigs-use some cut bait on the hook-change it out often. There are fishing tips on the website www.mackdays.com. Talk to local tackle shops in the area for advice. Awards are given for Largest Lake Trout over 36” and 20 pounds-sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine, Smallest Lake trout, Captains Prizes, Weekend Prizes for each weekend, etc. Go online to learn more.
Tight lines everyone!
