SMELTS

Hey fellas and ladies,

When someone finds smelts running, it would be appreciated if you could let the rest of us know.
NOT LOOKING FOR NAMES OF TRIBS. Just know they've started.

I will consistently check on the western side of Trout Lake on my way home.

Water is still too cold.
Need warmer temps.

FYI .Friends in Michigan got into the smelts in some small creeks and rivers flowing into northern Lk Huron this past weekend. Just a heads up……..

Yeah I heard that someone got smelts on Manitoulin island but I think the Great lakes warm up quicker.

I'm not travelling more than 30 minutes for smelts. I have to work in the morning.

I had a quick look around my area (Muskoka) last night and nothing. There is still a bit of ice on the lake so maybe too warm still yet....maybe after the warmer weekend weather or after some major rain (in the forecast) next week? What kind of temps and conditions are you looking for with smelts. It's been a couple of decades since I have gone out for a smelt run to relearning everything but since moving up here, thought I would give it a try at a couple of rivers that I was told by locals (not serious fishing ones) that there were smelts in the spring.

Apparently they need 42°F water temps. Or 5°-7°C

42-45 makes sense from what i have seen

moon phases and rain also impact the peak of runs

OKay. Interesting. I meant to say "too cold" still but was thinking, typing and maybe chewing gum at the same time.
So what moon phases are good for a run to occur? And with rain, how long after and how much rain will help with the run?

They started going pretty good after the rainfall earlier this week in my area

Where are you again? And do you know if they are they still going? Just curious how long things last these days...and of course where you are is going to be very different than where I am but still interesting to know. I'm going to try to get out to check the creeks again in another couple of days (too much work to get done for the next few days or I would be out checking every night).

There were a bunch of guys netting smelt in the lower niagara yesterday. One guy had a bunch as a snack from the night before.

I'm looking in the North Bay area. Trout lake, Nipissing, South river.

Guessing you’ll be about another week up there….should be going the next few days here in Muskoka

Is there a time that smelt tend to start their run? I remember as a kid, we would also see them in the day time in some Lake O tribs but we always went out to catch them at night for some reason. Once they start running, are they in the creeks (day/night) until the run is over or do the runs only happen each night until it's done for the season (i.e., they go back to the lake/river mouth each morning and then come back in the the evening). I've been going out between 10 pm and 1am to check a couple of local creeks (so far nothing).

I have had some great dipping in the middle of the day! Timing/checking are crucial for success…….