Benson maintains Mack Days lead

After three weeks of competition and an Easter weekend with a variety of weather issues, Mike Benson of Lonepine continues to lead in the 2018 Spring Mack Days. Benson has caught 724 lake trout thus far in the Flathead Lake competition.

Friday cooler temperatures came in and with the cooler temperatures came winds and big waves on the water. The ground was blanketed with snow and anglers were met with cooler temperatures on Saturday, and Sunday the weather was a little better. Entries were 645 Friday, 229 Saturday and 883 Sunday, bringing the three-week total to 12,448.

Friday was the first day of the Bucket of Fish competition. Winning with a 20.6-pound bucket was Brett Moore-Huson and Justin Spring of Alberton. First place team or boat wins $200. Second was Mike Benson with a 12.25-pound bucket, third Larry Karper (12.0), fourth Terry Krogstad (9.6), and fifth Ken and Tyler Varga (6.95). Points for the Bucket of Fish competition are 10 for first and 8 for second, etc., and are totaled for the three days. The second bucket competition will be April 21, and the final May 6. The four lake trout in the bucket have to be 30 inches or smaller. Shore anglers can also enter the Bucket Day.

Behind Benson in the Top Ten competition Leading anglers in the Top Ten competition is: 2, Jason Mahlen, Kalispell - 605; 3, Steve Benson, Spokane Valley, Washington - 572; 4, Sam Cusker, Bigfork - 492; 5, Felix Gauci, Stevensville - 487; 6, Scott Bombard, Missoula - 414; 7, Larry Karper, Florence - 348; 8, Tyler Varga, Kalispell - 291; 9, David McDaniel, Polson - 272; 10, Ken Varga, Kalispell - 269.

Brandy Hilde of Bigfork has a total of 228 to hold on to first in the Ladies Category. 2, Julie Woolley, Manteca, California - with 54; 3, Debbie Paine, Polson - 29; 4, Julie Vacca, Florence - 28; 5, Julie Perkins, Kalispell - 20.

Tyler Varga is first in the 13-17 category with 291 and Matt Guckenberg, Jr. is first in the 12 and Under group with 121.

The largest fish entered so far in the competition is a lake trout entered by Matt Guckenberg, Sr. It weighed 24.9 lbs. and measured 40.2 inches. The record for a large fish entered in a Mack Days Events is one entered by Nicole Peters in 2010, at 45 inches and 38.5 pounds. Smallest lake trout entries in Spring 2018 are a 146mm (5.7 inches) entered by David McDaniel and the other is 182mm entered by Roger Olsen, Jr. of Butte. Mack Days smallest entry on record is a 2014 entry by John Gauci of Florence, 142mm (5.5 inches).

Weekend drawing winners of $100 were: Steve Benson, David McDaniel, Jason Mahlen, Brandy Hilde and Hank McLeod.

Fish pickups are done by staff at the Somers boat ramp 3-4:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Wayfarers boat ramp fish pickups are 5-5:30 p.m. Big Arm and Polson will be done if anglers telephone that a fish pickup is needed Friday through Sunday. Big Arm would be 5-5:30 and Polson 6-6:30.

Boat safety comes first on the water. Be prepared, check weather information before launching, wear your PFD/life jacket, keep cell phones dry, have extra clothing, and be vigilant of changing weather while on the water.

Up to $225,000 sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will be awarded at the conclusion of 2018 Spring Mack Days on May 13. The events are used as one of the tools to slowly reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake and protect native bull trout and weststlope cutthroat trout. The events are sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. The event continues with anglers fishing Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are separate from the weekend contest but do count for final bonus totals at the end of the event. There are six $50 drawings the last day for the Tuesday-Thursday anglers and they do get Yeti Cooler tickets for every 10 fish for that drawing and tagged fish count every day of the event.

The $10,000 tagged lake trout, 3-$5,000, and 5-$1,000 plus over 6,000 with values from $500-$100 are still waiting for some lucky angler to bring them in. Bob Turner of Kalispell turned in a $200 tagged lake trout and a $100 tagged lake trout on Sunday. Also turning in $100 tagged lakers were Scott Bombard of Missoula, Kolton Turner, Travis Banyai, Matt Guckenberg, and Jason Mahlen of Kalispell.

Entries are taken until the last day of the event. Go to http://www.mackdays.com for information, entry forms, fish ID, boat safety, lake map, etc. or telephone (406) 270-3386.