Montana Angler Nets Astounding Lake Trout Tourney Record Number

Presumably like many of you, even though I love fishing, I am sure I have not caught 2,000-plus fish in my entire lifetime!

For just one angler to accomplish that feat in a mere 9-week span - and all of them only one species - says a lot about his abilities and dedication. That's what it takes to be a Mack Days champion.

The annual Spring Mack Days Lake Trout Fishing Tournament ended earlier this month on Flathead Lake. Tournament director Cindy Benson tells us that  Kolton Turner of Kalispell turned in a total of 2,283 lake trout entries and had an 18-day average of 100, the maximum number of lake trout that can be turned in daily during the tournament. Kolton also set a new record number of fish turned for the spring event.

MOST OF US WOULD BE HAPPY TO CATCH ENOUGH TO PLACE IN THE TOP 10!

Judging by their home towns, it's safe to say these guys know their home court (lake) pretty well.

Second place angler Jason Mahlen of Kalispell  turned in a total of 2,073.

Robert Turner of Kalispell came in 3rd with 2,094.

4th place went to Clint Speer of Kalispell with 1,257.

5th place was Gene Corne of Kalispell  with 1,076.

6th place: Jerry Benson of Plains with 1,025.

7th: Ken Varga of Kalispell, 1,005.

In 8th place was Mike Benson of Lonepine at 989.

Travis Banyai of Kalispell's 934 was good for 9th.

10th place finisher was Tyler Varga of Kalispell, 866.

Spring and Fall Mack Days events on Flathead Lake are sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). Cindy Benson reports that a total of 35,089 lake trout were entered during the nine-week long fishing event. The focus of these fishing events is to  reduce the non-native lake trout to help restore native bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations, which are a fraction of what they once were.

Congratulations to all anglers who competed.