Hi! Some friends and I are going to try smelting this spring and would like some suggestions on the best time and what we should expect when we get out. I’ve personally smelt a handful of times, where along Duluth/Lake Superior area is a good place?
Has anyone been out or when should I check back in to see if they’re running?
Thanks in advance!
Smelt populations along the N. Shore are a fraction of what they were in the 70’/80’s. Your best bet may be in the bay along Park Point in Duluth. They seine them (vs. a dip net) there and this may be your best bet. I just haven’t heard any good reports from any of the rivers (Lester, Knife, etc.) in the last few yrs.
Thanks KWP! Hopefully this spring they will run a little.
Welcome aboard.
There will be 3 or 4 nights where you will do good in the spring, the other nights will be tough. Dip netting is brutal, as numbers are so low. I would recommended seine netting along park point. I will keep you updated as the time comes.
I went once a while back ..must be luster by the bridge.:.didn’t have much luck. It’s better to have people inform you when they run vs. Going out of the blue….but keep me posted. would like to try too….
…might even be a better run in Chequamegon…
Mark
Thanks gang! It’s tough to find forums nowadays with welcoming and positive feedback.
Grant, definitely keep me posted if you get out.
Mark, thanks for the suggestion. Could someone tell me where Chequamegon is… that’s new to me.
Up here near Ashland WI.. The past few years, the run has been pretty good – for about a week.. Mid to Late April..
Keep an eye on my website, I am updating it to the fishing report and that includes smelting.. Also, the Ashland Chamber of Commerce updates on this as well..
Awesome website Jim. I will have to convence a few friends for a guided tour sometime in the near future. Will definitely be looking through your website for pointers. Thanks!
How’s it looking like by the bay area there guys…? Does it look like we will get lucky this year and have a few good run this year?
Thanks!
vuex:
Ahhh patience my friend, patience, we still need to get the ice off… Although, they will start to stage and can be caught ice fishing as well.
Mark
am just wondering how good of a year it will be—not much snow melt and all?
mbenson, your right. I am too excited. I haven’t been as fortunate in the past years as I have this year… this year I will have more time to do some real fishing. If you see or hear anything, def do some shout outs.. thanks!
can do!!! Hoping to get up there and do some shallow trolling in the next couple of weeks
Mark
What’s the additional license you need on top of your regular fishing license in order to smelt…? I can’t recall. Thanks! 
no additional license needed, might not even need a license for this sport… I’ll take a peek.
Mark
Any news…?
vuex:
Don’t know how well this will show up here, so I posted a link as well. In the right hand third where the clouds break up a bit you can see the ice pack just to the south of the Apostle Islands… Lake Superior Imagery.’12
Gotta get rid of the ice yet… Though I have a friend up there trolling for cohos as I speak.
Mark
Mark, Thanks for the image. Looks like we still have some time before we can get our hands dirty. Time is definitely near. I am super duper excited!!
Sorry to chime in late on this one,, Ashland side just opened up there are a few big sheets of ice floating around the Chequamegon Bay yet. We will be over on the Ashland side tomarrow night checking on the run. Ill keep posted.
Jmarksman, I hear the water is still a little cold. Some friends tested the water 2 nights ago and it was a miss. However, that was 2 nights ago. I’ve been dying to smelt this year for some crazy reason. A buddy and I were thinking we’d still test the waters tomorrow night… However, we’ll wait for more news from you. Thanks!
if nothing else there is a Smelt fry coming up!! April 14th at Herbster 3-6:30 $10 for adults-12 and under $5 and beer!! if case need a back up plan! lol
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if nothing else there is a Smelt fry coming up!! April 14th at Hebster 3-6:30 $10 for adults-12 and under $5 and beer!! if case need a back up plan! lol
Hebster???
Al
Ok Herbster–wheres auto spell when I need it?? lol
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Ok Herbster–wheres auto spell when I need it?? lol
I was wondering where it is, not spelling? 
Al
Herster,WI–is on the south shore–east of Superior,WI about 40 miles–Port Wing first–then Herbster–Cornucpia–over that way
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Herster,WI–is on the south shore–east of Superior,WI about 40 miles–Port Wing first–then Herbster–Cornucpia–over that way
Thanks, might be a bit far for a smelt fry…:)
Al
well yeah from cities it is,but I drive it about every weekend in summer to cabin in Corny–but this is Lake Superior forum so anyone up in area or going through that weekend and looking for a smelt fry there you go!!
superiorfishing, what exactly is a smelt fry?
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