Warm weather seemed to keep the lake trout deep below the surface on the second weekend of the Fall Mack Days fishing competition. Anglers have landed 2,763 lake trout through the first six days on Flathead Lake. The total is 366 short of last year’s mark at this point. There are over 3,800 tagged lake trout with values from $10,000 to $100.
Fishing reports are that the early morning and late evening bite is when most numbers of lake trout are being caught, according to Mack Days organizers. Anglers are finding high numbers of fish but report the bite is very light. Jigging has been the most popular method but trolling is picking up.
Mike Benson of Lonepine took over the lead with 260 lake trout entries so far. Scott Bombard of Missoula is second with a total of 206. Max Martz of Stevensville is third with 188.
Kim McMillie of Ronan is the ladies leader with 30. Sharon Beville of Lakeside is second with 27. Susan Martin from Polson is third with 17.
Roger Schiff and Kirby Adams of Kalispell took the lead in the new “Heaviest Bucket of Fish” competition. The men landed four lake trout weighing 19 pounds, 15 ounces. The next day for weighing the top bucket will be Oct. 20. The last day will be Nov. 4.
The event continues until Nov. 11. Up to $125,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the anglers. Prizes are also awarded for the best 15-day average out of 28 days of fishing. Go online for complete information on prizes, fishing tips, recipes, bull trout identification, maps and overall standings.