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.
🎣 Get Full Stocking Data & Forecasts
Fishing Pro · $4.99/mo · Cancel anytime
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 | |
| Lac La Belle | Keweenaw |
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 41 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Kalamazoo, Marquette and Schoolcraft 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
|
||||
| Apr 17, 1992 | Gull Lake | Kalamazoo | 500,000 | — |
| Apr 17, 1991 | Gull Lake | Kalamazoo | 13,179 | 5.8" |
| Apr 28, 1989 | Clear Lake | Schoolcraft | 2,500 | 6.0" |
| Apr 28, 1989 | Clear Lake | Houghton | 2,500 | 6.0" |
| Apr 24, 1987 | Golden Lake | Iron | 18,000 | 6.5" |
| Apr 23, 1987 | Long Lake | Grand Traverse | 14,000 | 6.5" |
| Apr 23, 1987 | Long Lake | Alpena | 14,000 | 6.5" |
Most valuable for Rainbow Smelt anglers
See where Rainbow Smelt will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 7 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
Fishing Pro — $4.99/mo
14
Historical stocking events
7
Lakes stocked
Apr
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Apr
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Rainbow Smelt next season.
Unlock with Fishing Pro
Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
Best Times to Fish Rainbow Smelt
Angler Tips for Rainbow Smelt
No tips yet for this species. Fishing Pro members can share tips and photos.
Be the first to share an angler tip
Fishing Pro members only