Smelt, also called freshwater smelt, rainbow smelt, American smelt, frost fish and ice fish, are small fish easily caught by net during spawning or fished through the ice during winter months. They are known for their delicate, sweet white meat with a scent of fresh cucumbers, edible bones and ease of cleaning, preparation and cooking.
Introduction to Lake Erie
Originally and primarily found in the North Atlantic and Pacific, smelt were introduced to the Great Lakes as a baitfish in 1912 at Crystal Lake, Mich. From there, populations began to surface in all five lakes, first being sighted in Lake Erie in 1932 and having an established population four years later. They are prolific in cooler waters of Lake Erie and can be found in tributary streams in northern Ohio during spawning. As of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' 2008 survey of Lake Erie fish populations (page 67), smelt made up 41 percent of fish in midwater trawler samples of Ohio's waters.
Smelt Characteristics
Smelt are generally three oz. and 7 to 9 inches long, though some may reach 14 inches. They are an anadromous species typically living in deep freshwater, only migrating close to the lakeshore to spawn in tributary streams and rivers. The freshwater variety found in Lake Erie is pelagic, living most all its life in open water, and slightly darker in color. Feeding on smaller vertebrates and crustaceans, smelt are detrimental to larger sports fish by eating their spawn and young smelt compete with the young of other fish species for similar resources.
Net Fishing
Spawning for the smelt begins in the early spring, when the pelagic populations move in from deep water closer to the coastline. According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as ice breaks up and the water temperature reaches 42 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit, smelt begin to move upstream. Because smelt are sensitive to light, upstream spawning migrations happen at night, with peak times from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. During these night runs, it is possible to simply net groups of smelt without the need for a rod and pole. At times, the spawning runs can be so dense that a bucket or cooler is all that's needed.
Ice Fishing
Prior to water temperature rising high enough to spawn, the smelt move in toward shore, where they will likely first come in under ice. Schools of smelt will cluster together in areas and remain there for extended periods of time, so when fruitful fishing spots are found through the ice, they may remain for quite a while. With the aid of a small piece of bait and a weighted hook, smelt can easily be line caught. However, a fisher must remain attentive because smelt make only small taps and tugs on a line, not strong pulls.
Eating Smelt
According to the Nutritionfacts website, smelt are low in fat and high in protein at 19 g per fish. They also make for a good source of vitamin B-12. The most typical method of cooking is to fry the fish, though it could be prepared in any manner. Bones may be removed to your liking, though it is not necessary. Cleaning is similar to deveining a shrimp. Cut off the head, slice a line down the belly and run your thumb down the inside of the cut to remove any entrails.
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