Rainbow Smelt ⚠ Invasive
🔬 Osmerus mordax
A slender, silvery fish with a distinctive fresh-cucumber smell when handled. Native to Atlantic coast and some northern lakes. Introduced to Crystal Lake, Michigan in 1912 and quickly spread through the Great Lakes. Now a critical forage fish for lake trout, coho salmon, and other Great Lakes predators -- but also a major competitor with native cisco and young lake whitefish. Famously runs up tributary streams in massive spring schools for spawning.
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Bite this month
Fair
Best season
Winter, Spring
Regulations
limit No limit (dip netting)
Where to Catch Rainbow Smelt in Michigan
| Lake | County | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Ankadosh Creek | Chippewa | |
| Anna River | Alger | |
| Beatons Lake | Gogebic | |
|
Burt Lake
17,120 acres
|
Cheboygan | |
| Carp River | Mackinac | |
|
Charlevoix Lake
17,260 acres
|
Charlevoix | |
| Clear Lake | Schoolcraft | |
| Clear Lake | Houghton | |
|
Crystal Lake
9,854 acres
|
Benzie | |
| Falls River | Baraga | |
|
Glen Lake
4,944 acres
|
Leelanau | |
| Golden Lake | Iron | |
|
Gull Lake
2,030 acres
|
Kalamazoo | |
|
Higgins Lake
9,600 acres
|
Roscommon | |
| Huron River | Baraga | |
| Imp Lake | Gogebic | |
|
Indian Lake
8,689 acres
|
Schoolcraft | |
|
Intermediate Lake
682 acres
|
Antrim | |
| Lac La Belle | Keweenaw | |
| Lake 15 | Montmorency |
Rainbow Smelt Conservation Status
⚠ Invasive Rainbow Smelt is considered an invasive species in Michigan. Introduced to Crystal Lake MI in 1912, spread to Lake Michigan by 1923, then throughout all Great Lakes. Competes with native cisco (lake herring) for zooplankton and eats larval fish, contributing to the decline of lake whitefish young. Now a foundational forage species for Great Lakes salmon and trout despite invasive origin. The daily bag limit is No limit (dip netting).
Rainbow Smelt Habitat & Behavior
Open Great Lakes water in summer; runs into tributary streams and rivers in April-May spring spawning runs. Also established in many inland Michigan lakes connected to the Great Lakes. DNR records show Rainbow Smelt present in 39 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Kalamazoo, Marquette and Alpena counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Mar and Apr.
Best Rainbow Smelt Techniques
Spring dip-netting in creek mouths and tributaries during spawning runs (check local regulations for net size/limits). Ice fishing with tiny teardrops and wax worms -- smelt move in massive schools un
Best Rainbow Smelt Baits
Dip nets during spring runs; not typically rod-and-reel targeted
Rainbow Smelt Fishing Regulations in Michigan
No limit (dip netting)
Daily limit
No limit
Possession limit
Spring dip-netting runs: March–April
Season
Spring dip-netting runs in Lake Michigan tributaries are a Michigan tradition. Peak runs occur at night when water temps hit 40–45°F.
⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually.
Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.
Michigan DNR Rainbow Smelt Stocking Records
Rainbow Smelt Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 10, 2000 | Gull Lake Kalamazoo County | Kalamazoo | 2,230,109 total | 5.8"–6.5" |
| Apr 10, 2000 | stocking event | 125,000 | — | |
| Apr 12, 1999 | stocking event | 500,000 | 0" | |
| Apr 25, 1995 | stocking event | 47,610 | 6.5" | |
| Apr 23, 1993 | stocking event | 44,320 | 6" | |
| Apr 19, 1993 | stocking event | 1,000,000 | — | |
| Apr 17, 1992 | stocking event | 500,000 | — | |
| Apr 17, 1991 | stocking event | 13,179 | 5.8" | |
| Apr 30, 1993 | Lake Angeline Marquette County | Marquette | 8,000 total | 6" |
| Apr 30, 1993 | stocking event | 4,000 | 6" | |
| Apr 28, 1992 | stocking event | 4,000 | 6" | |
| Apr 28, 1989 | Clear Lake Schoolcraft County | Schoolcraft | 2,500 | 6" |
| Apr 28, 1989 | Clear Lake Houghton County | Houghton | 2,500 | 6" |
| Apr 24, 1987 | Golden Lake Iron County | Iron | 18,000 | 6.5" |
| Apr 23, 1987 | Long Lake Grand Traverse County | Grand Traverse | 14,000 | 6.5" |
| Apr 23, 1987 | Long Lake Alpena County | Alpena | 14,000 | 6.5" |
Showing the 14 most recent stocking events for Rainbow Smelt, across 7 lakes. Lakes with several events can be expanded.
Rainbow Smelt DNR Stocking History
Total stocked: 2,289,109
Stocking events: 14
Peak year: 1993 (1,048,320)
14
Historical stocking events
7
Lakes stocked
Apr
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Apr
Top Stocked Lakes
Gull Lake
Kalamazoo Co.
Lake Angeline
Marquette Co.
Clear Lake
Schoolcraft Co.
Long Lake
Alpena Co.
Clear Lake
Houghton Co.
Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
Best Times to Fish Rainbow Smelt
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