Minnesota Outdoorsman
General Category => MN DNR News => Topic started by: Lee Borgersen on May 05/15/18, 03:11:54 AM
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:reporter; Ask a Conservation Officer: :scratch:
Q: What are the requirements for taking smelt from Lake Superior?
A: The smelt run is underway in Duluth, and a lot of people have been doing well in different rivers along the shore. There are a few specific requirements you should know before smelting:
• Anyone taking or attempting to take smelt must have a valid Minnesota angling license. A trout stamp is not required to take smelt by net in Lake Superior.
• Dip nets can be used in the lake or the tributary rivers.
• Seine nets up to 25 feet long and 4 feet high can be used in Lake Superior to take smelt, but can't be used in tributary rivers or within 100 feet of the mouth of a river.
• Cast or umbrella type nets are illegal to use to take smelt in Lake Superior.
• Artificial lights may not be used to attract smelt, but can be used to find your way through the water or check the contents of your net.
• Any game fish incidentally taken while netting smelt must be immediately returned to the water.
• Smelt may be bought or sold to any person, but may not be used as bait anywhere but in Lake Superior unless packaged and treated under a DNR-issued bait preservation permit. :tut:
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Have always wanted to check out the smelt run. Sounds fun even though it sounds like it is not like it used to be.