Smelt in January

[ChapstickCharlie]

If you had to pick a lake for Smelt, where would you go?

[kingfisher 11]

Higgins Lake. Easy to find them and you can catch a lot.

[Bucktail Butch]

Any other time, I would recommend Crystal in Benzie county, but they weren't in the usual spots last winter. I didn't hear of anybody catching more than a few at a time, although the lakers and burbot we caught all seemed to have them in their stomachs. Hopefully they will be back to their normal routine this winter.
Green Lake, south of Interlochen, can usually be counted on to produce plenty of smelt. Fish off the music camp in the northeast part of the lake or out from the DNR access next to where the Betsie runs out, in the southwest corner.

[barnacle bill]

higgins has been the most productive the last couple of years, although green lk. and some others also have smelt. ice at higgins is iffy. depends on cold weather. should have ice by mid january. and smelt fishing will start. call ahead before you leave for current ice conditions where ever you go, conditions change. barnacle bill.

[Ed Michrina]

This is on our DNR web site. search smelt.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/4763031217185048.jpg?5630

[ChapstickCharlie]

Thanks everyone.