A total of 469 anglers registered for the 2016 Fall Mack Days Fishing Event sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on Flathead Lake, with 178 anglers turning in a total of 17,527 lake trout entries in 45 days.
The 2016 Fall Event ranked third highest in numbers entered for a Fall Event since the events began in 2002. The highest total of 19,525 was turned in last year, and the second highest of 18,357 was tallied during the 2011 Fall Event.
Kalispell angler Terry Krogstad was the top angler of the event with a total of 1,341 entries and a 15-day average of 72.9, setting a new average high record. The old record was a 68.2 average set by the same three-time Fall Event winner when he won the 2013 Fall Event with 956 entries. Krogstad also won the 2015 Fall Event with a 65.07 average and 1,251 entries.
Mike Benson of Lonepine was second with a 65.6 average and 1,292 entries. Benson was former winner in the 2014 Fall Event with a 45.8 average and 1,037 entries.
Laurie Kries of Huson turned in 190 entries to win the women’s category. Brandy Hilde of Whitefish was second with 142.
The Mack Days events are used as a management tool to reduce nonnative lake trout in Flathead Lake to help increase the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout populations.