Smelt-owasco/finger lakes

[sofreddyco]

Are there any accessible streams owasco that get smelt runs? Any other finger lakes that still have decent smelt runs and public access?

[Nautitroller]

There are very few smelt left in the fingers. Haven't seen a good run in years, just my opinion but I feel we should let em spawn without harassment for a few years...

maybe they will make a comeback

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[Hookedup]

It would be nice to see them again some day. I think I only had one fish last year that spit up smelt when it hit the boat floor. I remember cleaning all those little guys as a kid what a pain LOL

[Reelfanatic]

I agree, not many left. I love smelt but dont go anymore. It would be great for the fishery if they came back in large numbers.

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[sofreddyco]

I feel there has to be some numbers if your able to target them thru the ice. I have witnessed some recent catches in smaller private creeks just wondered if there were any public places better lakes.

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[Zyoung]

I've heard that smelt mark horizontally on the graph.  Compared to the blobs alewife show up as.  Anyone know if there is truth to that?

[rustyrat]

I live next to what used to be the best smelt creek on Cayuga.  Its private, my neighbor owns it.  There hasn't been a single smelt in it many years.  I believe they have declined due to the Zebra and Quagga  mussels infestation.  I know where there are a few, but I leave them alone and don't spill the beans.

[ontherise]

Or over fishing from you know who! Jk!

[Nautitroller]

I've heard that smelt mark horizontally on the graph. Compared to the blobs alewife show up as. Anyone know if there is truth to that?

I think that the bait you mark out over deep water has a different look to it. Sometimes I think they are smelt, but they are much smaller pods of bait and kind of show up as a horizontal streak.

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Edited April 10, 2015 by Nautitroller

[Zyoung]

Thanks for the response.  I have marked horizontal bait very infrequently on Owasco, and when I have seen it they are deep and not as vast as the blobs (Alewife).  Always on the Southend too.

 

So good luck finding a creek with access, on the right night, to catch the relic population still in there.

[reeldilemma33]

What about creeks on Ontario? Any good runs up there yet ?

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