Muskoka smelts, first year report

[Flukes]

Well, it was the first year looking for smelt in a local creek where they run. I have been checking the creek since April 1 and tonight was my last night. I think I ended up checking the creek about 15-16 times (mostly at night but sometimes, in the day time as well depending on if I happened to pass the area). Saw at least some smelt on 6 or 7 nights (never in the day) and decided to try netting some on 4 nights (ended up catching like a dozen or two each time using either and umbrella net or a scooping dip net). Only on the first day of catching did I catch any females (2 out of 10 or 11 smelt that I caught). The other times, all males. Most were quite small (so could have been good bait but they tasted pretty good so never became frozen bait . The last night I caught any was also the most (28 and all males) I caught in the 4 times I decided to try because there seemed to be enough for me to be able to get some...that was just a few days ago. Strangely, that night when I was netting from about 10:30 to midnight, there were always some smelt moving upstream somewhere. At about midnight, it seemed to all stop and I wasn't seeing any for several minutes and decided to give up and go home. Since then, we've had alot more rain. I've checked a few more times at night and not a single smelt seen so I am assuming it is over for this year. I must have missed the females and now the males are not there anymore either. I think it's likely the last time I will check and call it the end for the smelts this year. Ended up with about 50-60 smelts in total (but they were gone as soon as I got them - not enough for freezing for later Now, that I know the creek better, I will be much better prepared with equipment to better catch them next year.,

[metalbuckle]

Thanks for the report. Yes that is the smelt run. Not all creeks / spots yield the same results. That might be the way they run on that creek. The females are there, but maybe they don't come into the creek, and spawn in deeper water at the mouth. Also depending on the population density of smelt, that's pretty much what that area can yield. They might be using a different location which might yield a denser run. Glad you got some, but lots of work. Well done being persistent. Knowledge and experience in key when it comes to fishing. Cheers!

[Flukes]

For sure. It was all trying to get an understanding of what can happen at this creek so I have a better idea for the years to come....and of course, each year, more experience with the same creek will add to the knowledge to get a better feel. Won't be spending as much time next year but each year, will add more data to the brain and get a better feel for them....some smelt each year is good enough (but would like to see a huge run one year to show the little one - maybe it happens every few years when there is a good cohort).

[Longshank]

Definately did happen for over a week at my place up there, but we also have a high number of smelt now. this was not the case 10 years ago.


you have some great observations, so maybe next year