Valley Journal
Valley Journal

This Week’s e-Edition

Current Events

Latest Headlines

What's New?

Send us your news items.

NOTE: All submissions are subject to our Submission Guidelines.

Announcement Forms

Use these forms to send us announcements.

Birth Announcement
Obituary

$10,000 tagged Mack Days fish caught

Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local. You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.



Subscribe now to stay in the know!

Already a subscriber? Login now

News from CSKT Natural Resources

FLATHEAD LAKE — Congratulations to Terry Krogstad and Julie Perkins. At the end of the day on Oct. 6, “Freddy Mack,” the $10,000 tagged lake trout, was in Terry Krogstad’s cooler. Krogstad and Perkins are two of the hardest working anglers in our Mack Days Events. Terry stopped out in front of Blue Bay as he was coming in and caught the notorious Freddy in 80 feet of water. You never know where you might find a tagged fish.

Your chances of finding a $5,000 tagged lake trout are higher than chances for the $10,000 laker. There are 3-$5,000, and 5-$1,000 plus over 9,000 with values from $100 to $500. There is an additional $1,000 tagged lake trout sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine in Missoula for merchandise from their business. Bretz is also sponsoring the $500 cash prize for the largest lake trout over 36 inches and 20 pounds. 

There is Up to $200,000 in Cash and Prizes to be awarded at the conclusion of 2021 Fall Mack Days on Nov. 14. Mack Days fishing events are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. The event is used as a management tool to reduce the non-native lake trout in Flathead lake.

There are several ways for anglers to qualify to win in the event. Top 20 Angler category, Ladies, Youth, Over 70, Captains, etc. Check out the categories on the rules page at www.mackdays.com. Largest lake trout over 20 pounds and 36 inches wins $500 and the two smallest lake trout winners receive $250 each.

Once anglers obtain 11 lake trout entries they begin to accumulate bonus dollars. The bonus amount goes up as their total goes up. 

A total of 7,804 lake trout entries are in. Monday to Thursday total was 1,402 and the Friday to Sunday total was at 6,402. Thank you to all of the anglers. It is important to continue to make Mack Days fishing events as successful as we can. The purpose of the events is to increase the numbers of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in Flathead Lake. Anglers are making a difference. Friday turn ins were 396, Saturday 355, and a windy Sunday total was 80. Weather is changing and anglers are always observant of weather warnings and alerts. Many were off the water early on Sunday.

Felix Gauci of Stevensville is first in the Top 20 category with a total of 656 lake trout entries. Second place is Larry Karper of Florence with 434, third place is Scott Bombard of Missoula with 372, fourth place is Sam Cusker of Bigfork with 366, fifth place is Mike Benson of Lonepine with 357, sixth place is Jack Kirkland of Missoula with 335, seventh place is Richard Kreis of Huson with 322, eighth place is Larry Ashwell of Missoula with 282, ninth place is Julie Perkins of Kalispell with 268, and 10th place is Terry Krogstad of Kalispell with 247 and a $10,000 tagged fish. 

Julie Perkins is first in the Ladies Category with 268 lake trout entries, second place is Laurie Kreis of Huson with 234, third place is Kim Mack of Missoula with 75, fourth place is Debby Sacchi of Thompson Falls with 48, and ffith place is Gina Schiff of Whitefish with 43.

Larry Karper is first in the 70 and Over Category with 434 lake trout entries, second place is Jack Kirkland with 335, third place is Larry Ashwell of Missoula with 282, fourth place is John Gauci of Stevensville with 207, and fifth place is Paul Grove of Wyoming, IL. with 101.

Entries continue to be taken until the last day of the event. It is free to enter. Saturday Oct. 16 is the second Bucket Day. Heaviest bucket of four lake trout that measure under 30 inches will win a $200 cash prize. Go to www.mackdays.com for information and to see the list of statistics, or call 406-270-3386. There is plenty of time left to get involved.  

Tight lines everyone.

Sponsored by: