Smelt

[The Jigster]

Anybody here about any smelt runs starting up anywere?

[pikemaster789]

heard of a few in the carp river in the UP and a couple on the black river, near Prt Huron. Not 1st hand reports though

[RLWagner]

Anybody here about any smelt runs starting up anywere?

The run has you Geeked too eh? I hope we get some sort of run. I will be in the Oscoda area this weekend most likely, if any positive reports, I'll let you know.

[The Jigster]

I remember many beers ago you could dip five gallon buckets full with no problem.  Keepin my fingers crossed that we have that this year.

[RLWagner]

I remember many beers ago you could dip five gallon buckets full with no problem.  Keepin my fingers crossed that we have that this year.

Anymore I would settle for a 1/4 bucket. If the population is to rebound, it will not happen over night. One theory to this issue of Smelt reduction, is that the ones that had instinct to run up rivers, weeded themselves out of the gene pool, and thse that spawn in 4-5' of water with sand/gravel, have survived to perpetuate the continuation of the species. Now the general inclination for most Smelt is to avoid Rivers.
Don't know how true it is. I think personally it has more to do with the introduced predators like Browns, Slamonoids etc..and serious Walleye plants. Oh, the Commorants too!. The State began heavy stockings in the late sixties, early seventies of many of these fish. Ten years later the smelt crash.

[spartaman12]

my cottage is on a great smelt lake and ive hammered em in the winter is it possible to catch em in the open water season?

[RLWagner]

my cottage is on a great smelt lake and ive hammered em in the winter is it possible to catch em in the open water season?

I never have, but never have targeted them either. I bet with a size 18 hook, and a piece of waxie, you could load up. Sure gives you a challenge this year eh? Would be interesting to hear your results if you do try. Bet if you began a thread about this topic, you would get plenty of input that may prove helpful.