Species guide
How to catch Rainbow smelt
Osmerus mordax
The rainbow smelt is a slender, elongated fish found in North American waters ranging from fresh to saltwater. It is an anadromous species known for migrating to spawn and exhibits high mortality after spawning. This game fish feeds actively on small aquatic animals.
Where they live
Rainbow smelt live in shallow to moderately deep waters up to 425 meters, occupying fresh, brackish, and saltwater environments in North America along Atlantic and Pacific coasts. They avoid flowing streams except during spawning migrations.
Typical size
Up to about 36 cm
What they eat
- small fish
- squid
- crustaceans
- Mysis relicta
- sculpins (Cottus)
Best baits
- small fish strips
- shrimp
- mini jigs
- worms
Best lures
- small spoons
- jigs
- soft plastic grubs
- spinnerbaits
How to fish for them
- casting
- jigging
- trolling
- ice fishing
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