How do you find places to catch smelt? I have not eaten fresh smelt in years and would like to get some.

i ate them for the first time i this past winter. delicious. my buddy caught them through the ice in coneaut

Up here in Ely, we hit the small spring fed or natural streams at the mouth. They've been running for a couple weeks up here already.

Not sure where you are at but the Lake Superior shore (Ashland area) has smelt around.....also I'm not sure what the rules in WI are but in Minnesota you can't use smelt for bait on inland lakes because of VHS unless it's an authrized dealer.

How do you find places to catch smelt? they are on a comeback I here and I'd like to get some. I have not eaten fresh smelt in years.

The correct spelling is hear, not here. Use little small hooks with microscopic algae as bait. They're found in remote sections of Africa in the Nile River. Good luck cowboy.:horsepoop:

Now, Now.....Boys

The correct spelling is hear, not here. Use little small hooks with microscopic algae as bait. They're found in remote sections of Africa in the Nile River. Good luck cowboy.:horsepoop:

yes you are right mr. spelling nazi. ah and thanks for the help:Wedgie:

The correct spelling is hear, not here. Use little small hooks with microscopic algae as bait. They're found in remote sections of Africa in the Nile River. Good luck cowboy.:horsepoop:
Since we're correcting grammar today..... you probably shouldn't use the phrase: "Use little small hooks".

Here (hear) in Michigan we catch them on Hali jigs, which come with a little small hook, but we don't use algae, we use spikes (maggots) in winter. In spring there (their) used to be enough to hand net (dip) them at the mouth of rivers but that fishery is almost non-existent any more except for a few isolated spots (secret?) in the Upper Peninsula. To give those locations away would be akin to telling everybody your favorite mushroom (mushroon) spot.

That is one thing I miss about WI. The vol. fire department used to have a smelt fry every year and I would hog em down til I dang near exploded.

Here in Montana, all they ever use em for is pike in the winter...:sad:

Rigs

Here (hear) in Michigan we catch them on Hali jigs, which come with a little small hook, but we don't use algae, we use spikes (maggots) in winter. In spring there (their) used to be enough to hand net (dip) them at the mouth of rivers but that fishery is almost non-existent any more except for a few isolated spots (secret?) in the Upper Peninsula. To give those locations away would be akin to telling everybody your favorite mushroom (mushroon) spot.


not asking for specific spots, just locations. ie. rivers, river mouths, drop offs, rock structure. that sort of thing. I'm just wondering where to start looking as I know nothing about the species.

Since we're correcting grammar today..... you probably shouldn't use the phrase: "Use little small hooks".

and why is that "my little friend" ?:frypan:

That is one thing I miss about WI. The vol. fire department used to have a smelt fry every year and I would hog em down til I dang near exploded.

Here in Montana, all they ever use em for is pike in the winter...:sad:

Rigs
Here in Waupaca,our Fire dept. just had a smelt fry last week. They also fried up Walleye, whitebass,goose breast,wild turkey breast,venison and home made french fries and cheesecurds. Oh yeah......Lots of beer too. These boys throw quite a party.