Mack Mania
FLATHEAD LAKE - Want to help out some native trout species and maybe win a lot of money in the process?
If so, make time one of these weekends to grab the fishing pole and tackle box and head down to the waters of Flathead Lake for this fall's Mack Days. The twice-a-year fishing derby is taking place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Nov. 2, and will then run for 10 straight days until its conclusion on Nov. 11.
Sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and officially sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the contest aims to "correct an imbalance in the Flathead Lake trout fishery" by targeting invasive lake trout (colloquially referred to as "mack," or mackinaw). Introduced to Flathead Lake at the turn of the last century, lake trout represent an aggressive competitor for native trout species such as bull trout and cutthroat trout. By enlisting the help of the sportfishing community, tribal officials hope to help level the playing field in the Darwinian trout arena.
"Mack Days represents a new approach to fisheries management, one that strives to directly involve the angling public in shaping the fish community," according to a statement from CSKT fisheries biologist Barry Hansen posted on the official website for the event.
As if the prospect of hooking a monstrous 40-inch, 30-pound lake trout wasn't enough to coax fishermen out to the lake, there are also significant financial incentives in place to lavishly reward a handful of lucky line-setters, as up to $125,000 will be awarded to successful anglers. Those netting the most lake trout in various age- and gender-based categories are eligible to win money, as are those who reel in the largest specimens. Anyone catching more than 20 lake trout over the course of Mack Days is assured of at least some monetary compensation.
In addition to catching mack in the greatest quantities, prior to the start of the contest, some lake trout were released with hidden tags denoting dollar amounts that can be redeemed once the fish are entered with CSKT officials. Some trout patrolling the depths of the lake are worth between $100 and $5,000, and somewhere out there, probably nestled alongside the Flathead Lake monster is one lake trout with a $10,000 bounty on its head (or rather, adipose fin).
Anglers who catch little fish need not be discouraged, because they too can qualify for a consolation prize of $250 in the "smallest lake trout" competition.
Through one weekend, "anglers turned in a total of 1,302 lake trout," according to a release from Germaine White of the CSKT Natural Resources Department. The leading adult fisherman was Max Martz of Corvallis, Mont., while Polson's Kim McMillie led lady anglers and Eric Sams, also of Polson, paced the youth division.
Those wishing to cast a line in the contest are reminded that a state or tribal fishing license is required, depending on the area of the lake being fished. More information about rules, prizes and fishing stories can be found online at mackdays.com.