GREEN RIVER — The highly anticipated 2025 Mac Attack Fishing Contest is set to take place Feb. 15-17 at Flaming Gorge Reservoir. This fishing contest, sponsored by Buckboard Marina and modeled after the successful Burbot Bash, is designed to benefit the reservoir's fisheries by helping to reduce the overabundance of small lake trout.
Anglers will compete for four lake trout prize categories. The highest payout will be awarded to the team that enters the most lake trout under 25 inches. This year’s event also features two burbot categories: the biggest burbot entered and a burbot raffle, providing multiple opportunities to win prizes while contributing to fishery management. Ice on the reservoir continues to build in places, but anglers are always encouraged to check it carefully as they proceed to their fishing location.
“Healthy and abundant populations of kokanee and stocked trout in the future depend on angler harvest of small lake trout now,” said John Walrath, regional fisheries biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “The Department is encouraging anglers to target and harvest small lake trout to benefit the whole fishery, including the trophy lake trout component.”
Targeting Little Lake Trout
Little lake trout < 17 inches are abundant in Flaming Gorge, particularly along the slopes beneath cliffs where large schools of these fish congregate. Fish can generally be found at depths of 35-65 feet, but anglers are encouraged to keep moving until they locate active fish.
Derby participants are encouraged to locate and target these aggressive little lake trout. To maximize success, anglers should:
- Use smaller lures, ranging from 1.5 to 3 inches, for little fish and 2.5 to 4 inches for those measuring 17 to 25 inches.
- Try spoons and jigs dressed with tubes or grubs, especially those that glow.
- Tip all lures with a thumb-nail-sized piece of fish meat to enhance the bite.
The lake trout bite often begins early, even before sunrise, and can last all day, especially on cloudy days. They usually move deeper as the day progresses. Fishing lures that glow after dark can also be productive. For more lake trout fishing tips, visit the Flaming Gorge Management page, or contact the Green River Game and Fish office at 307-875-3223.
Register and Participate
Anglers can register online or in person at Buckboard Marina. Official contest fishing hours are from 5:00 am Saturday the 15th through 10 am Monday the 17th.
Donation Opportunities
Participants are encouraged to keep the lake trout they catch. They are tasty and high in Omega-3 fatty acids. After checking in their fish, participants can donate any unwanted lake trout, which will be made available to both participants and non-participants during check-in each day. Because lake trout have non-game status in the Gorge, there are no limits on the number of fish <= 28 inches that anglers can harvest or possess at home.
Join the effort to balance the Flaming Gorge fishery while enjoying a weekend of competitive fishing, camaraderie, and prizes. Together, anglers can help ensure the future health of the reservoir’s kokanee, trout, and trophy populations.
