Fall Mack Days brings anglers to Flathead Lake
Published: October 12, 2009
lake trout, at 26.6. pounds, during Spring Mack Days.
Undeterred by chilly weather, fishermen continue to ply the sometimes-unpredictable waters of Flathead Lake through Nov. 15 during Fall Mack Days.
The annual fall fishing derby is replete with over $24,500 in cash prizes and up to $30,000 in bonuses for those catching 20 or more of the wily Mackinaw lake trout (1,000 trout are also tagged with values from $100-$5,000).
Anglers harvest plenty each fall and spring in an effort to restore balance to the Flathead Lake fishery. Participants can fish 21 days and pick their best 12 days.
The first Mack Days was held in the fall of 2002, and netted 888 lake trout; last spring’s event yielded 12,651.
The derby arose out of a need to restore balance to the Flathead Lake trout fishery caused by the continually increasing population of lake trout. According to tribal fisheries biologist Barry Hansen, the events “represent a new approach to fisheries management that strives to directly involve the angling public in shaping the fish community.”
The derby is open Fridays through Sundays, and culminates in the Fall Fish Fry, 4 p.m. Nov. 15 at Blue Bay, on the east side of Flathead Lake. An awards ceremony follows at 5 p.m. Participants, friends and family are welcome.
Call 406-883-2888 ext. 7294 or visit http://www.mackdays.com.
