Spring Mack Days total tops 35,000

The 2024 Spring Mack Days Event on Flathead Lake sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes ended Saturday May 11. A total of 35,089 were entered during the nine-week fishing event. The goal behind these fishing events that focus on reducing the non-native lake trout.

The leader in the Top 20 category was Kolton Turner of Kalispell. He turned in a total of 2,283 lake trout entries and had an 18-day average of 100. He also set a new record in fish total for a Spring Event. Top 10 anglers are placed by their best 18-day average. Second place angler Jason Mahlen of Kalispell held the fish total record since the 2019 Spring Event with his entry total of 2,134. Jason’s total for 2024 Spring came to 2,073 and his average for 18 days was 98.67. Robert Turner of Kalispell came in 3rd with 2,094-97.11. 

Ladies leader was Julie Perkins of Kalispell with 310. Shirley Batz of Kalispell came in 2nd with 129, 3rd Corrine McCubbins of Kalispell 79, Laurie Kreis of Huson 4th 49, and 5th Melissa Triano of Bigfork 24.

Winner of the 70 & Over was Larry Ashwell, 2nd Felix Gauci, and 3rd Jack Kirkland. If an angler is in the Top Ten they choose which category they want to be placed in. 

Brodie Smith of Kalispell was 1st in the 13-17 Category with 442. Kennedy Yang of Missoula 2nd with 31, and Matthew Mitts of Kalispell 23. 

Eli Yang of Missoula was 1st in the 12 & Under with 31, Mason Cusker of Bigfork 2nd with 4, and Gage Spring of Alberton 3rd with 3.

Jack Kirkland of Missoula won the Largest Lake Trout award sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine with a 42” 24.4 lb. lake trout entry. Smallest lake trout winner was Gene Corne with a 164mm-6.5” lake trout. Three-way tie for 2nd place with entries of 166mm were Gene Corne, Jason Mahlen, and Kolton Turner. 

Spirit of the Event Awards went to Sou Thao of Missoula and Tyler Varga. They exemplify good anglers, are respectful to staff, and are good sportsmen.