Osmerus mordax

How to identify a American Smelt

American Smelt are found in cool and temperate lakes, rivers, streams, and connected wetlands. Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Cool and temperate lakes, rivers, streams, and connected wetlands

Where to catch American Smelt

• Great Lakes landlocked (MI)
• Maine coastal runs
• Canadian lakes

American Smelt by state

State season calendars that list American Smelt — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Illinois — seasons, best months and licence info
• Indiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Maine — seasons, best months and licence info
• Michigan — seasons, best months and licence info
• Minnesota — seasons, best months and licence info
• New York — seasons, best months and licence info
• Ohio — seasons, best months and licence info
• Pennsylvania — seasons, best months and licence info
• Wisconsin — seasons, best months and licence info

Baits and lures

Species-dependent · insects · worms · small fish · crustaceans · flies · or artificial lures where legal

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with American Smelt:

• Arapaima — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Arctic Char — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Arctic Grayling — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Atlantic Salmon — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Atlantic Sturgeon — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Australian Bass — identification & profile (Freshwater)