WikiCatch

Atlantic rainbow smelt

Osmerus mordax

Family
Osmeridae
Max Length
36 cm
Max Weight
0.1 kg
IUCN Status
LC
Water Type
saltwater, freshwater, mixed
Fishing Spots
54

Best Baits & Lures

Live Baits

  • Worms

    Use small pieces on a small hook.

  • Mealworms

    Effective when fished near the bottom.

  • Small Minnows

    Use live minnows on a jig head.

  • Maggots (Spikes)

    Great for ice fishing and open water.

  • Nightcrawlers

    Cut into smaller segments for smaller mouths.

Artificial Lures

  • Mepps Aglia #0Spinner

    Silver blade is very effective.

    Buy
  • Kastmaster 1/8 oz.Spoon

    Silver or gold colors work well.

    Buy
  • Northland Tackle Fire-Ball Jig 1/16 ozJig

    Tip with a wax worm for added attraction.

    Buy
  • Rapala Ultra Light Minnow 04Crankbait

    Trout or Smelt pattern is ideal.

    Buy
  • Clouser Minnow (size 6)Fly

    White/grey pattern effective in clear water.

    Buy

Techniques

Use light tackle and small hooks for smelt fishing, and experiment with different jigging motions to find what works best on a given day.

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Where to Find Atlantic rainbow smelt

Maine, United States14 spotsQuébec, Canada8 spotsNova Scotia, Canada7 spotsMichigan, United States5 spotsNew Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick, Canada4 spotsNew York, United States4 spotsOntario, Canada3 spotsWisconsin, United States1 spotsVermont, United States1 spotsLouisiana, United States1 spots
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bait for Atlantic rainbow smelt?+

Popular baits for Atlantic rainbow smelt include Worms, Mealworms, Small Minnows, Maggots (Spikes), Nightcrawlers. Tip: Use light tackle and small hooks for smelt fishing, and experiment with different jigging motions to find what works best on a given day.

Where can I catch Atlantic rainbow smelt?+

Atlantic rainbow smelt can be found in many locations worldwide. Top regions include Maine, United States; Québec, Canada; Nova Scotia, Canada. WikiCatch lists 54 fishing spots where this species is found.

How big do Atlantic rainbow smelt get?+

Atlantic rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) can reach up to 35.6000006 cm in length and 0.1 kg in weight. Their IUCN conservation status is LC.

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