Mac Fall 2023 Week 1 Results
Autumn Mack Days on Flathead Lake sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes began on Thursday, September 14.y A total of 492 lake trout entries. It was the first of thirty-three weekday fishing days during the nine-week fishing event. Friday kicked off the weekend’s nine-day hunt with 668 entries. The total number of entries on Saturday was 496 and on a breezy Sunday a total of 346. The weekend total came to 1,510 lake trout entries and a total of 2,002. There are 216 anglers registered for this event. Anglers have the opportunity to fish for 60 days or can choose to fish one day, five or as many as they want. Entries will continue to be accepted until the last day of the event.
Up to $200,000 in cash and prizes It will be awarded at the conclusion of the event on November 12. The categories everyone can try to be a winner in are: Women’s, Youth 12 and Under, 13-17, 70 and Over, Top Ten Anglers, Top Twenty Anglers, Smallest Lake Trout, and Largest Lake Trout And many more. Go out and get your entries! Some categories are based on fish totals but there are many chances to win in sweepstakes drawings that only require one fish to be entered to win! Lottery fees start at $2,000 and go down to $100. Check the website on www.mackdays.com To see categories, rules, fishing tips, etc. There are some issues with the input page not responding. Email your entries to cindy.benson@cskt.orgenter by phone at (406) 270-3386, or enter at the end of the day when you arrive.
the $10,000 “Ghost” Lake Trout It waits and lurks in the murky depths of Flathead Lake. It could be at the end of your line – you have to go fishing to do any catching. There are 3 – $5,000, 6 – $1,000 including one sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine of Missoula as well as over 9,000 worth $100 – $500. Lake trout with tags have been released throughout the lake. The adipose fin on the fish is clipped for identification. Scott Bombard of Missoula delivered a $100 fish on Sunday.
Mack Day events began to be used as a tool to reduce lake trout populations in 2002 with the first event totaling 888. Reducing lake trout populations will help increase native populations of lake trout and rainbow trout on the western slope of Flathead Lake. Native fish have been the dominant fish in the lake for thousands of years. Lake trout are voracious eaters of other types of fish. Their large number is causing a decline in local fish populations and they have been struggling for several years. It takes years of reduction to see results but over time it does happen.
Stevensville’s Felix Gauci leads anglers with a total of 179, 2ndSecond abbreviation Mike Benson of Lonepine-163, 3Research and development David Myers of Riverton, WI with 150, 4y Jack Kirkland-Missoula 131, 5y Larry Ashwell-Missoula 126, 6y Bob Stewart of Kalispell with 114, 7thy Scott Bombard-Missoula 94, 8y Larry Carper-Florence 85, 9y Richard Cress of Huson-73 and 10y Steve McHelena 69.
Lori Kress of Huson leads the women’s category with 47, 2ndSecond abbreviation Kim Mak from Helena Ho 2Second abbreviation with 36, and Thompson Falls’ Debbie Sackey at 3Research and development With 28.
Bear Yarrow, Holden Griffin and Ace Whimper from Clinto fishing from the same boat each delivered one fish in the 12 or under category. Bucky Yaro waited his turn, letting his companions fish first, running out of time before the fresh weather brought the boat. And his turn will come.
Jack Kirkland had the top catch on Friday with an 86, but he watched his favorite fishing rod fly out of his hand when suddenly he felt the line vibrate, and it was a fish that hit him hard! He was in cover and went fast and deep with Jack’s favorite blue Cabella rod and a new Extreme reel behind him. Not something you enjoy seeing when you’re out fishing. In fact, it can ruin your day. The only thing that made it bearable at the end of the day was bringing in the highest amount of lake trout of the day.
On Sunday, another unfortunate incident occurred, after two queues got out of the car and Jack was bitten. He was throwing that fish into the boat and somehow the other rod flipped off the boat when it collided with the fish and he had to watch it sink into the depths of the water. Two cocks in one weekend was more than he could handle. He improvised, put two hooks on his remaining line and started trolling. Fortunately, he was able to catch the sinking fishing line and recover it. My favorite blue pole is still there. But he was still smiling at the end of the weekend and looking forward to next week.
Felix Gauci had a high on Saturday with an 82. Mike Benson had a high of 42 on Sunday. He also reported catching a West Slope trout, 2 bass and a whitefish. An interesting and fun day of lake trout fishing!
The smallest fish entries to date are Bryan Long and Bob Stewart each in Kalispell with lake trout at 199 mm (7.8 inches). There were no large fish entries.
Anglers had some warm days the first weekend. Sunny days are nice but can get a little warm during the day. Staying hydrated is an issue even if you are out on a huge body of water. Always be prepared with extra water, safety equipment and PFD’S. Stay alert to weather changes. Make a plan and tell someone when you’re going to get out of the water. Keep your cell phone dry. Be safe out there!
We remind anglers to know the identity of your fish! It’s easy to miss trout that may not be brightly colored. There are fish ID tips on the website or ask for the fish ID when checking your catch. Get out and catch lake trout during the Fall Mack Days fishing event. Maybe a trout with a $10,000 tag is at the end of your line.
Tight lines everyone!
—CSKT—
