Benson leads Fall Mack Days competition

Windblown lake trout anglers just completed the second weekend of 2018 Fall Mack Days on Flathead Lake. The eight week-long event continues until November 11 with anglers fishing Tuesday-Fridays.

The wind began early Friday and the lake trout fish total came in at 316. There were 101 lake trout entries turned in on Saturday. Sunday morning was no different with continued blustery and gusty winds. The afternoon calmed down and relieved anglers were able to get to their fishing areas.

There was a total of 333 lake trout entries. Second weekend total came to 750. Event total through the second weekend is 3,238.

Mack Days Fishing Events are used to reduce non-native lake trout numbers in Flathead Lake and increase the numbers of native bull trout and west slope cutthroat trout.

Walter, the most wanted lake trout in Flathead Lake, is still lurking somewhere in the waters of the lake. Reward for this most wanted tagged lake trout is $10,000. His whereabouts are unknown along with those of his three $5,000, and five $1,000 counterparts plus over 6,000 other tagged lake trout with values from $100-$500. They can easily be identified by their adipose fin clip. At this time they may be coming in closer to shore as they are getting ready to spawn. The second weekend Shawn Madsen of Whitefish and Steve Mack of Helena turned in $100 tagged fish.

Mike Benson of Lonepine leads the Top Ten anglers with 266 lake trout entries followed by David McDaniel of Polson with 238, Felix Gauci of Stevensville with 227, Scott Bombard of Missoula 186, Sam Cusker of Whitefish with 165, Terry Krogstad of Kalispell with 97, Richard Kreis of Huson with 92, Julie Perkins of Kalispell with 88, Bob Christensen of Missoula with 86, and Larry Karper of Florence with 77.

Julie Perkins of Kalispell is first in the ladies category with 88, followed by Gina Schiff of Whitefish with 41, Kimberly Mack of Helena with 37, Laurie Kreis of Huson 32, and Jeanee Mooney of Missoula with 20.

Bob Christensen of Missoula took over the lead in the 70 and over category with 86 entries, followed by Larry Karper of Florence with 77, Larry Ashwell of Missoula with 62, John Gauci of Florence with 30, and Jerry Luderman of Whitefish with 22.

12 and under category leader is Tripp Bick of Arlee with 2, followed by Brodie Smith of Kalispell and Michael Marlatt of Missoula with 1 entry each.

Weekend winners of $100 were Scott Bombard, Terry Krogstad, Ken Richert of Thompson Falls, and Jeanee Mooney won two $100 rewards.

Smallest lake trout leaders at this time are Larry Karper and Sam Cusker each with a 7.5 inch entry. No large lake trout entries so far in the event.

For more information about the event go to mackdays.com and click on the events tab at the top of the page or telephone (406) 270-3386 or (406) 883-2888 ex. 7294 or 7282.