Is smelt dipping dead in the lower peninsula?

[slabzilla73]

G'morning. So does anybody waste their time going smelt dipping in the lower mitten anymore? We have bailed on the lower & been going to the U.P. the last couple years. If so where do you try?  And what do wait for before you go, a date, water temp change???

[jdgambler2]

good luck on antone telling you about their secret spot!!

[slabzilla73]

Wasn't asking for that, wouldn't expect it anyway. We are pounding Menominee & smelt though.

[netminder34]

None of the Crew I used to Smelt Drink with does it anymore.  Maybe the east side but I am pretty sure the west side is fairly extinct.  I see them in the bellys of Trout and Salmon from time to time but not very often.

[chilly-willy]

Seen a few get caught on the east side lower peninsula around detroit your only aloud two gallons a person..  seen  a lot more  smelt come out of lake huron ice fishing.. then in the river.. cause they can sit on top of smelt in winter amd pick away at them.. when ever there is ice the smelt slow down when there is no ice the smelt come in thick in the lower peninsula .. so keep that in mind just encase we get a good freeze down in the south east michigan ..

[DR.SPECKLER]

I bought a bunch of nice smelt dipping nets for cheap at garage sales years ago.always wanted to try it but it does not sound worth it anymore.my favorite Michigan outdoors episode was when fred trost was in that little creek in the daytime netting bucket fulls in one scoop.my smelt nets are now home decor.lol.can only keep 2 gallons of smelt anyways these days.

[Wgorby]

I bought a bunch of nice smelt dipping nets for cheap at garage sales years ago.always wanted to try it but it does not sound worth it anymore.my favorite Michigan outdoors episode was when fred trost was in that little creek in the daytime netting bucket fulls in one scoop.my smelt nets are now home decor.lol.can only keep 2 gallons of smelt anyways these days.

Ha...yeah that video is awesome.  2 gallons is plenty for me, that's a lot of smelt to clean.