Fall fishing tournament begins on Flathead Lake

The 27th Mack Days Fishing Event Sept. 25-Nov.15.

Up to $150,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the lake trout anglers in the form of tagged fish, prizes, bonuses, and merchandise in the 2015 fishing event. Mack Days Fishing Events are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks as a management tool to reduce non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. One-$10,000, three-$5,000, five-$1,000 and over 6,000-$100-$500 tagged lake trout have been released in the lake. The tagged fish have recently been tagged for the fishing contest. The 2014 Fall Event had the lucky $10,000 fish turned in by Felix Gauci of Stevensville.  

Every angler who turns in fish receives one ticket for each fish to enter them in the lottery drawing which will be held on Nov. 15. There are also different categories for youth, ladies, over 70, and top ten anglers. Two weekend drawings will be held each week for $300 and $200. Bonus dollar increase as an anglers total increases. Bonus dollars start when an anglers turns in their eleventh fish and go up from there as they get to higher numbers.  All it takes is one fish to win in the lottery drawing.  Go to www.mackdays.com for more information. 

Fall is a good time to fish from shore on Flathead Lake. Lake trout spawn in the fall and come in to the rocky steep drop off areas but also can be caught off docks during this time. Boat anglers will be trolling and jigging during the event depending on what is working best for them during the day. 

Bull trout identification is very important when fishing on Flathead Lake. There is information on the website or on the Montana FWP website. Handouts will be available at the Mack Days check in station. If an angler can-not identify a fish it is best to put it back.  

For more information go to www.mackdays.com or telephone 406-883-2888 or 406-270-3386.