Higgins Smelt

[Total Sportsman]

Anyone know where to go on Higgins for Smelt. What depth and how deep to fish? What"s the best rig to use? Sorry for all the questions, but would appreciate the info. THANKS!!

[kcud rellik]

Fish right by everyone else. Use as many of the smallest jigs you can find tipped with spikes / waxie / mousies just under the ice. I believe the depth is around 40ft that most of the shanties are on. You really can't miss the huge pack of shanties. Do a search, theres a ton of posts on higgins for smelt.

[woodie slayer]

how many hooks can you have on a line when fishing for smelt?

[aslongasitpullsback]

how many hooks can you have on a line when fishing for smelt?
no more than 3,
modified sibikki rig.... works well

[WHITE BEAR]

West launch, shanty town, can't miss it. It's a short walk too.

[Total Sportsman]

Thanks for all the tips, it should really help!

[kcud rellik]

I thought you could use as many hooks as you wanted for smelt as long as you only used one rod?

[mkroulik]

you can have as many hooks as you want when fishing for Smelt, in a designated smelt lake.

This is straight from the fishing guide under lawful fishing methods.

Hook and Line Fishing: Fish so taken must be hooked in the mouth. Fish not hooked in the mouth
must be returned to the water immediately. No more than two lines per person (including tip-ups) nor
more than four hooks or lures may be used. Except: on L. Michigan, L. Huron, L. Superior and the
St. Marys R., those persons in the act of trolling while targeting trout/salmon may use three rods/lines
and attach no more than six hooks total on all lines. All hooks attached to an artificial bait or "night
crawler harness" are counted as one hook. Hooks must be baited or attached to an artificial bait. You
may use any number of hooks on one line for taking smelt in recognized smelt waters. Tip-ups and
similar devices used for ice fishing must show the angler's name and address. All lines must be
under immediate control. Hook size regulations exist on certain streams (see Exceptions to General
Regulations by County, p. 14-17).

[Fishslayer5789]

no more than 3,
modified sibikki rig.... works well

No that's not true. You can have as many hooks on one line as you want but if the one line has 4 or more hooks, then you cannot fish with 2 rods.