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Explore: Spring Mack Days

The annual spring Mack Days was delayed due to ice dams

By Beacon Staff
Anglers from Idaho head out from the Blue Bay Campground to fish during Mack Days on Flathead Lake. Beacon file photo

The annual spring Mack Days kicks off on March 22 – it was delayed due to ice dams – and continues through May 12. The fishing event awards prizes to anglers who catch the most lake trout in Flathead Lake.

Mack Days are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and sanctioned by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The events are used as a management tool to reduce nonnative lake trout in Flathead to help increase the native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout populations. Once the dominant fish species in the lake, their populations have been decimated by the invasive lake trout.

The CSKT contributes up $225,000 in awards and prizes, which will be given out on May 12 at fish fry at the Blue Bay Campground.

Last year’s spring and fall tournaments contributed to harvesting nearly 52,000 lake trout. For rules, prizes and to register for Spring Mack Days, visit www.mackdays.com.