Smelt Run

[bbmonkey]

Anybody have any idea as when the smelt start to run?

My dad and I would like to get up to the mouth of the Brule River this year and net some smelt. He thought it was towards the end of April when the start running.

[Wisc.whitetailer]

never smelted before but I sure love eating them.

[bbmonkey]

Found a phone number to call. They say that there is still ice on the bay and the smelt don't run until about a week after the ice goes off.

The way the weather has been it won't be until may.

[Wisc.whitetailer]

 Is it expensive to get into smelting?
 I've always just bought them at the store.

[bbmonkey]

A seine net, a pair of waders and a bucket or cooler.

Not much to it. Takes a couple of guys. Just make a sweep out into the river with the net. Of course you end up with a net full of smelt and burbot and whatever else is in the river.

Its a fun time if the smelt are running good.

[Wisc.whitetailer]

How big is the net you use? would Gander mt. carry smelt nets?

[bbmonkey]

Seine nets for smelt can be up to 75'. We use 15'. This year we are going to try 30'.

Heres a link to the DNRs website spearing and netting regulations.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/fish/regulations/2006/documents/Spearing06web.pdf

[Redneck]

If you find any smelt let me know. I havn't them good in about 8 years

[Mr.Buddy]

there are no smelt in wisconsin rivers, or especially in lake superior.  Dont waste your time, however if I should find some, I'll be more than happy to sell you them!  j/k

we use a 30 ft saine in lake superior, kinda excited for this year, my nieghbor gave me his dip net so now I can just set up on the dock and dip the net in.  No more wader swimming for me!