Up to $200,000 in Cash and Prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of 2021 Fall Mack Days Event. There are many ways to win during this fishing event on Flathead Lake, all it takes is one fish to qualify for lottery drawings that begin at $50 up to $2,000. Bonus dollars are paid when an angler reaches 11 lake trout entries, and increase as fish entries increase. Check out the different categories and ways to win at www.mackdays.com. To enter click on the events tab at the top of the page and select from the drop-down boxes the entry page. Entry forms are also located at vendors that sell fishing permits/licenses or call Cindy at (406) 270-3386 for information. Entries will continue to be taken until the last day of the event but to qualify for a drawing for a $200 Early Bird Prize, you must enter on or before September 15th! Write your story, learn as you go, and be part of the CS&KT Mack Days Fishing Events!
We are still working on our schedule for pickup times around the lake. There will be fish pickups Friday through Sunday at Big Arm from 4:30-5:00 and at Salish Pt. in Polson from 5:30-5:45. Blue Bay is open from 9:00 AM to 1/2 hr. after sunset or 9 PM whichever comes first. We will send out a final pickup times for Somers and Wayfarers later next week.
There are tagged lake trout with values from $100 to $10,000. There is one-$10,000 tagged lake trout, three-$5,000 tagged lake trout, and five $1,000 tagged lake trout, plus over 9,000 tagged lake trout with values from $100-$500. There is also an extra $1,000 tagged lake trout sponsored by Bretz RV and Marine for merchandise at their business. Bretz is also sponsoring the $500 largest lake trout over 36″ and 20#’s. Thank you Bretz RV and Marine.
Name that fish!! Send in your name for the $10,000 lake trout to be put in a drawing to win a soft side Siberian Cooler. Your fish name has to be emailed to cindy.benson@cskt.org or send a text to (406) 270-3386. on or before September 20th. The winning entrant name has to qualify by entering at least one lake trout entry before the last day of the event to win the cooler. One entry per person. If the winning name entrant does not qualify a new cooler winner will be announced.
Mack Days Fishing Events are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Mack Days events are used as a management tool to reduce the numbers of non-native lake trout in Flathead Lake. We can do this every-one! Come out and be part of making a difference for the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in the lake for future generations.
Native fish populations are a fraction of what they used to be. They were once the dominant fish of the lake until lake trout were introduced and eventually took over. The future of the native fish in Flathead Lake is important to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the State of Montana. They are a part of our Flathead Lake fishing heritage.
We are looking forward to the beginning of the event on Thursday September 16th. The event will continue until November 14th. COVID protocols will again be in place. Safety is our most important concern for everyone. Please practice all social distancing guidelines.
Protocol for turning in fish at designated locations:
1) Only one person at a time will turn in fish.
2) Anglers must bring their cooler to the vehicle and count their catch out loud to the Tribal staff as they are placed into the container.
3) Staff will confirm the count with the angler and record the catch.
4) When the angler is done, the angler will step back and next angler can approach the vehicle.
5) There will be no contact between anglers and staff and no tickets will be exchanged, the drawing will be done electronically at the end of the contest.
Be weather wise, check weather predictions before going out and be prepared with the proper safety equipment, PFD’s (life jackets), fire extinguisher, keep your cell phone dry(plastic bag), extra clothing, flashlight, water and food. Have a plan and tell someone your plan. Wind is the enemy on Flathead Lake for anglers, there are apps for your phone that will show weather and wind predictions. Stay safe and tight lines everyone!
For more information please go to the website at www.mackdays.com or call us at (406) 675-2700 ex 7294 or (406) 270-3386. The website has rules, fishing tips with videos, along with fish ID, map, weather information, and safety information. We look forward to a successful fishing contest with many happy anglers!
-cskt-
