Countdown to 2025 Spring Mack Days begins
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FLATHEAD LAKE - The countdown clock is at 14 days until 2025 Spring Mack Days begins. The website is updated — if you see something that needs attention let us know. There is a lot of information on the website, rules, fish pickup times, rules of disqualification, fish ID, fishing tips, etc. It is every angler’s responsibility to read the rules —including the suggestions for boat ramp areas when getting ready to launch. Wait your turn — get everything loaded before backing onto the ramp — etc. At Blue Bay boats come out from the campground. They will move forward as their turn comes up without going all the way around the parking area — just an FYI. Also please read how to avoid getting too close to a boat out on the water when fishing. Keep a safe distance between boats — don’t crowd, don’t sit down on someone’s casting spot, watch for trolling lines, etc. Information is in the rules — everyone is usually on board with these suggestions, but sometimes new anglers may not know — be patient and explain to them how to be safe, considerate, and work together with everyone.
Sponsored by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes there are up to $225,000 in cash and prizes available to win including: one $10,000 prize; three $5,000 prizes; five $1000 prizes plus over 9,000 $500 to $100 tagged Lake Trout. The competition takes place Thursday, March 13, to Saturday, May 10, which makes for nine weeks of lake trout fishing. Fish one day or several days. Every lake trout entry gives you a chance to catch a tagged fish, receive bonus cash, and/or win in the lottery drawings.
There will be Friday through Sunday competitive Mack Days includes lottery prizes, tagged fish, and bonuses and ends on Friday, May 9. The top ten angler prizes are based on your best 18 days out of 26 possible. Eleventh place to 20th place is based on totals. Check out pick up sites on the website or turn in at Blue Bay from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. or half an hour before sunset, whichever comes first.
The 40 lottery drawings include prizes of $400 to $2,000. All lottery drawings and prizes end Friday May 9.
Top twenty angler prizes of $200 to $950 with totals equal to $10,800. If you are in the top twenty you do not qualify for ladies, youth or 70 categories. Over awards unless you choose that prize
For Siberian Cooler tickets you receive one entry for every 10 lake trout entries. There will be two drawings.
There will be four $250 Captains prizes. Top lady anglers will win $300, $200, $100, by total fish entered.
For entering the smallest lake trout there will be two $250 prizes. For the largest lake trout you win $500.
Youth anglers, ages 13-17: first prize is $200, second is $150, and third is $75.
Youth anglers 12 & under: first prize is $100, second is $75, third is $50.
There will be four $100 prizes and one $200 per weekend. With nine weekends amounting to $5,400.
Golden Angler (70 & older) prizes are $300, $200, $100 and two $50 prizes determined by total fish entered.
The three Bucket Days competition of single/team’s heaviest four fish will take place on Friday, March 28, Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, May 4.
On Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., is the deadline to turn in fish at Blue Bay.
There will be four $50, two $100, four $250 lottery drawings plus bonus dollars. Thirty-three days will be totaled with Friday to Sunday totals at the end of the event.
Saturday, May 10, is a separate day and all entries must be in by 3 p.m. at Blue Bay only.
All prizes and lottery drawings will be done on Saturday morning May 10 and posted for awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Cash drawings for Saturday will be: $400, $350, $300, $200, $150, $100. Captains - $200, Ladies - $100, 70 & over - $100, Siberian Cooler. Largest lake trout under 30” wins $100 for first; $75 for second & $50 for third and totals count for bonus awards.
All it takes is one ticket (one for every lake trout under 30”) to win a lottery drawing.
Bonus cash amounts (Monday-Sunday) increase as your total goes up. Bonus amounts and tagged fish amounts are estimated. Anglers who enter 11 or more lake trout receive bonuses, examples: 11-30 lake trout entries - $45; 31-50 - $88; 51-75 - $150; 76 -100 - $205; 205-225 - $518; 301-325 -$813; on up. No pooling of fish is allowed. Lake trout are to be entered the same day as caught.
Fish the entire lake. Check in stations and times listed in emails (subject to change).
Check the rules, prizes, bonuses, check in sites at: www.mackdays.com or send an email requesting information.
Entry page is under the events tab-email: cindy.benson@cskt.org with your name, address, telephone number, age, and male or female.
