2025 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake will begin Thursday March 13 th and will
end Saturday May 10 th . Nine weeks of lake trout fishing on one of the northwest’s
most beautiful freshwater lake. Mack Days Fishing Events are sponsored by the
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish,
Wildlife, and Parks and are part of fisheries management tools used to decrease
the non-native lake trout and increase the native bull trout and westslope
cutthroat populations in the lake. There is Up to $225,000 in Cash and Prizes
sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes that will be awarded
at the conclusion of the event to the anglers who participate in this important fish
conservation effort.
Lake trout were introduced into Flathead Lake in 1905. They stayed in low
abundance until the Mysis shrimp introduction in upper Flathead watershed lakes
for the benefit of the popular non-native kokanee fish. Kokanee were introduced
in 1916 and by 1940 were the most sought-after fish in most areas. The Mysis
reached Flathead lake in 1981 and provided a banquet for juvenile lake trout
hiding at the bottom of the lake. The lake trout population exploded and native
fish populations declined due to juvenile native fish being preyed on by the lake
trout.
The kokanee population in the lake disappeared in two years during the 1980’s.
Lake trout live longer (30-40 yrs.) compared to bull trout (8-12 yrs.) and
westslope trout (6-8 yrs.). Anglers can and do make a difference in fish
conservation by participating in Mack Days Fishing Events. These events help
protect the future of native fish for generations of anglers yet to come and
preserve the history of tribal people who depended on the native fish for a food
source.
There are several ways to win in the competition. You can fish from a boat or
from shore. Fish one day or every day of the event-all it takes is one fish to win
and that has happened before with tagged fish and with drawings done at the
conclusion of the event. Come out and try your skills catching lake trout on
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
Natural Resources Department
Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation & Conservation
P.O. Box 278
Pablo, MT 59855
(406) 675-2700 extension 7241
Flathead Lake. Go to www.mackdays.com for fishing tips, fish ID, rules, entry
page, etc.
There is a $10,000, 3-$5,000, and 5-$1,000 plus over 9,000 tagged lake trout
with values from $100-$500. Lottery drawings range from $2,000 to $200. Prizes
are awarded in several categories-Top Twenty Anglers, Ladies, Youth, Over 70-
(Golden Oldies), Largest Lake Trout, Smallest Lake Trout, Weekend Prizes,
Weekday Prizes, and Bonus Amounts that go up as your total goes up. Check
out the awards and bonus chart on the website. Fish pickups are done Friday-
Sunday at Big Arm State Park 6-6:30, Salish Point in Polson 7-7:15, Somers
State Boat Ramp 5-6, and Wayfarers State Boat Ramp in Bigfork 6:30-7. The
Blue Bay office opens at 10, and closes 1/2 hr before dark or 9:00 whichever
comes first. Then on Monday-Thursday all fish are to be turned in at Blue Bay
headquarters from 10-6. Anglers can keep their catch or they may donate the
lake trout to be processed.
We encourage everyone to know their fish identification of fish om the lake. All
bull trout and westslope cutthroat are to be returned to the lake. If you are in
doubt about the ID of a fish put it back in the water. Don’t risk turning in an illegal
fish. Go to the website for tips on identifying your fish or go to your nearest FWP
Office or Tribal Fisheries Office for information.
All boats coming into the area from outside of the Flathead Basin are required to
get an AIS boat inspection before launching into Flathead waters. Please contact
Montana Kalispell FWP at 406-752-5501 or CSKT 406-675-2700 or 406-883-
2888 to find information on the AIS Inspections.
Remember to use all safety precautions while fishing on the lake. Keep cell
phones, dry, have good PFD’s and use them, let someone know your plans for
your day, keep vigilant on weather changes and predictions, check all fuel and
batteries before launching. Stay safe out there.
Entries will continue to be taken until the last day of the event. Enter online on
the website www.mackdays.com or telephone 406-270-3386. Tight lines
everyone!!