2008 Spring Mack Days results

Dick Zimmer and Paul Soukup show off their entries in the smallest lake trout category during the 2008 Spring Mack Days. (courtesy photo)

The first weekend of 2008 Spring Mack Days was a fishing success for some and a trying time for others. Once anglers were able to locate lake trout and get anchored above them, several anglers were able to enter their limits on Friday and Saturday. Six anglers turned in limits on Friday and Saturday including Don Peters, Paul Haines, Mike Benson, Bill Swaney, Marty Noyd, and Bryon Zempel. Breezy conditions on Sunday hampered the limits and numbers were lower for some of the anglers.

Top ten anglers are:

The smallest lake trout category is currently held by Dick Zimmer with a 244mm (9 1/2") lake trout turned in on Sunday and second place is a 247mm lake trout that Don Peters entered also on Sunday. There have been no large lake trout entries. That category requires a fish to be alive, measure over 36", and weigh over 24 lbs. The large fish are measured and weighed out on the lake and can be released by the angler.

The youth anglers were lead by Keegan Noyd of Missoula - 85; 2nd is Stephen Naethe of Pablo - 29; 3rd is Garett Vaughan of Charlo - 27; 4th is Tanner Murray of Columbia Falls - 9; and Phillip Malatare of Arlee - 3.

Lady angler Nicole Peters has a great start with 86 entries followed by Lou Moore of Hamilton with 16, and Emily Schock of St. Ignatius with 10.

Total number of lake trout for the first weekend came to 2,171.

There were two $100 tagged lake trout caught over the weekend by Bryon Zempel of St. Ignatius and Bud Howe of Kalispell.

Rick Skates of Polson with one for the large fish category. (courtesy photo)

Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks as part of the Flathead Lake Co-Management Plan to slowly reduce numbers of the non-native lake trout and increase the native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout in the lake. Two fishing events per year are used as a tool to help bring a balance to the fishery in the lake. Over $81,000 in cash and prizes are available in the event. There are 770 tagged lake trout in the lake with tags valued from $10 to $5,000. Pick your best 12 day totals out of the 21 days of fishing to count for the lottery cash prize drawings and top angler prizes. All it takes is one fish to win and entries are taken at any time.

Lake trout entered in the event are distributed to area food banks from Whitefish to Missoula.

Mack Days will end with a fish fry for participants and awards at Salish Point in Polson on Sunday, April 27, beginning at 4 with the "Captain" of the Montana Outdoor Radio Show Mark Ward as MC.

For more information on Spring Mack Days go to www.mackdays.com or call 883-2888, ext. 7294.