i was thinking of doing this once spring comes. i know they used to do it at the south end of Owasco lake and at Cayuga where the gully runs into the lake near Union Springs.
I grew up there but no longer live there, keep bumping this post forward later in march, I think their on the comeback in Salmon creek at meyers( cayuga lake trib.) Somebody will tell you something eventually! GOOD LUCK ,LOVE THOSE SMELT!
I get them out of keuka, there are several small streams from branchport to hammondsport and along rt 54 from penn yan to bath. Usaully once we get a warm rain they will begin running. Usually from April 1st right up until middle of may. Actually the little stream north of the boat launch at Keuka State Park gets some suprisingly large runs when the conditions are right.
I use a standard smelt net but towards the end of a run on a small stream I have been known to just start picking them up by hand
Does anyone know if the smelt dipping on the finger lakes still happens? I used to do this years ago, and would love to take my nephew if they still get them. I prefer Cayuga or Keuka, but would go where ever they still get them. Any information would be greatly appreciated.Thanks,Gary