This winter's smelt run isn't likely to be as good as the one last February, when the frenzy-inspiring fish made their strongest appearance in years.

With smelt on the endangered species list, no commercial or sport fishing will be allowed for the once-plentiful little fish this season.

Winter ice fishing for smelt is a tradition in Maine, but fishermen say warm temperatures made this the shortest season in decades.

It came as no surprise when state Fish and Wildlife announced late last month that there would be no sport or commercial smelt fishing this winter in the Columbia River and its tributaries.

Winter is for smelt fishing and, compared to other coastal states from New Jersey to New Hampshire, rainbow smelt — or Osmerus mordax — run in thicker schools and for longer seasons in Maine ...

Maine smelt camp operators experience worst season ever The head smelt biologist for the state said it’s not clear why the season has been so poor for smelt fishing this winter.

But delicious little smelt are shrugging off the cold as they always do this time of year, providing anglers with opportunities for winter fish fries.

Deep freeze good news for Maine smelt fishing camps Ice on rivers comes sooner than it has for quite a few years, allowing commercial operations to get the season started.

Commercial catches in the mainstem Columbia have increased; however, whether smelt have entered the Cowlitz is uncertain. State fishery managers approved a limited sport fishery for smelt on the ...

Smelt are occasionally caught during late fall; however, smelt fishing begins in earnest with the formation of ice in the Great Bay estuary and its tributaries.

After a short 2021 season, smelt camp operators and fishermen hope for a strong season, following a blast of ice-making weather earlier this month across the region.