Smelt fishing traditions

[Viking]

I’ve been hearing a lot about smelt fishing traditions lately and it sounds like a really fun way to get outdoors with friends or family. I’ve never gone myself but I love the idea of combining a bit of history, local culture and fishing all in one trip. Has anyone here done it?

 

[blue knight]

I'll always remember my first time smelt fishing...truly good times with family and super fresh fish

 

[Matt]

I spent my childhood smelt fishing with my family on Lake Michigan. It's freezing but it's fun.

 

[dockmurgw]

I used to practically live on the ice smelt fishing at the Crown Point bridge on Champlain. There used to be a sizable shanty village at that location, everyone smelt fishing. But no more, winters have not been cold enough for good ice, and the invasive alewives have done a lot of damage to the smelt...so those days are sadly gone.