Rainbow Smelt

Also called: Smelt

Slender, silvery fish with a translucent body, greenish back, adipose fin, forked tail, and toothed mouth.

Cool lakes and coastal waters; migratory populations enter streams to spawn.

Schools in open water and feeds on small aquatic animals.

Where permitted, small jigs or natural baits imitate its usual food. Check population-specific rules.

Landlocked and migratory populations differ; migratory fish run into streams to spawn.