At the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland – Point Pelee National Park – 45 years ago, my first smelt spawning-run experience unfolded. There, with a throng of experienced netters, we strung out the 4×20-foot seine netting, consisting of a large net with sinkers on one edge and floats on the other that hangs vertically in the water. From the beach, one person would wade near shore holding onto one end, while the other in waders, would venture as deeply into the water as he’d dare. With a pivoting maneuver around the shallow operator, the net would be pulled slowly back to shore where it was checked for the small, silvery fish. Although the seasoned netters claimed the action was slow that night, we still managed to haul myriad wash tubs and cans full of the tasty critters back to Michigan.
Over the subsequent years, the Saint Marys River behind the Sears building in Port Huron, became the dip-netting destination for prized catches. However, our fishing party had to dip through a long night to fill a couple of 5-gallon buckets.
One of my partners learned a valuable lesson one night. As we were having some success, a couple of strangers noted the buckets being filled and asked if we had fishing licenses. My pal piped up, “You don’t need a license for this!” The retort was a simple, “Oh, yes you do”, as he flashed his conservation officer’s badge, resulting in an expensive episode for the uninformed angler.
Along with a valid Michigan fishing license, the equipment needed is a dip net, bucket and warm clothes and a flashlight. Some areas require a long-handled net, waders and/or a life jacket. And, if you are successful, you’ve got to be prepared for the drudgery of cleaning them, as well.
Long gone are the days when pickup-truck beds could be filled in a night’s work; in fact, the dismal state of the smelt population now legally limits catches to two gallons per angler. This is the first time in Michigan’s long history of smelt-netting that a limit has been imposed. According to the DNR, it seems that more smelt are now breeding in the lake waters, as opposed to heading up-stream and past anglers’ nets. Years ago, a person couldn’t give them away – unless, of course, they were first cleaned. You still may be able to locate them in local grocery stores for about $6 per pound in the upcoming month or so.
Michigan’s DNR offers the following helpful information:
Spawning runs begin in early spring, soon after the ice disappears, and extend over a 3-week period, as long as the temperatures stay in the low to mid-40s. Depending on where you live or plan to travel, prime dipping season is mid-April to early May–earlier in the Lower Peninsula, later in the Upper Peninsula. Note that prolonged cold temperatures generally make for later smelt runs – ideal stream temps are 42-44 degrees. Precise predictions of just when and where the smelt will run are nearly impossible to make.
For more information about smelt and season dates, read the Fishing Guide. The Department of Natural Resources Fishing Report Hot Line is open 24/7 and the DNR will report runs when known. Call toll free 1-855-777-0908. The best smelt-dipping hours are between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. each night as the smelt spawn.
