Author Topic: Champlain Smelt? (Read 3713 times)

perchhunter8 · « **on:** Feb 04, 2011, 06:01 AM »

Has anyone had any luck with smelt anywhere on Champlain? I have tried by the "no" bridge, basin harbor, north harbor, and mile point. I can't seem to find a smelt except where they typically aren't supposed to be. I have caught more smelt in 5-15 fow jigging for perch with eyes than I have in the usual "smelt grounds" using smelt slabs.

RipSomeLips22 · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 04, 2011, 06:08 AM »

well unfortunately what I've heard is that because of the introduction of alewives to the lake, the smelt populations have taken a huge hit, and the numbers are coming up near extinction in lake Champlain. Also the smelt are being driven out of their normal areas by the alewives so that's why they aren't hitting in the areas where there is usually a thriving population. I'm afraid the smelt population on lake Champlain will not be as good as it was for a while.

perchhunter8 · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 04, 2011, 02:59 PM »

I agree that it has something to do with the alewives, but what. The salmon, lakers, pike, and even big perch I catch still have quite a few smelt in them. But I can't seem to find where they are finding them.

smithsfish · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 04, 2011, 07:52 PM »

Down by the old NY bridge is the only place on the lake that i have found any smelt at all.

pikeslayer31 · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 05, 2011, 12:13 AM »

Shelburne Bay usually has a ton of smelt. but i dont know if its safe to walk on there.

mroy44 · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 05, 2011, 03:56 AM »

Sometimes ill run into them perch fishing

sanman · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 05, 2011, 08:21 AM »

Quote from: pikeslayer31 on Feb 05, 2011, 12:13 AM

Shelburne Bay usually has a ton of smelt. but i dont know if its safe to walk on there.

yup its safe to walk on, there were cars on it last weekend but probably not now with all this snow, yesterday i was checking out the conditions and there was a guy with a plow that looked like he was contimplating plowing a road out.

Troutmagnet · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 05, 2011, 06:28 PM »

I stopped by Shelburne Bay later in the day yesterday. There were two guys (different locations) trying to land some smelt...they were striking out, not one between the two of them and that was after 4 hours of trying.

sanman · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 05, 2011, 07:48 PM »

i was probably there the same time as you! i watched one guy for a good half an hour in the laplatte with two rods not land anything.

Dead Head on ice · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 06, 2011, 03:42 PM »

Go to Waterbury.

pwfisher · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 06, 2011, 03:58 PM »

Quote from: Dead Head on ice on Feb 06, 2011, 03:42 PM

Go to Waterbury.

yes got back from there today after 2 hours and had at least 60 smelt

smithsfish · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 06, 2011, 04:50 PM »

yea, in waterbery the smelt are everywere, just i like to use them for bait, and u are not aloud to transport them!!

pokholes · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 09:41 AM »

Smelt everywhere in Waterbury, very few Trout!

smithsfish · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 04:21 PM »

I KNOW!! i have fished there twice this year... No trout!!

pwfisher · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 06:45 PM »

theres tons of trout in there they just never seem to be biting, theres also quite a few hog browns in there

Troutmagnet · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 06:53 PM »

Been many years since I've fished for smelt. What are you finding is the best depth for catching them at Waterbury Dam, or are you just fishing the shallows???

Thanks for any advise.

bradroy55 · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 06:56 PM »

What do you seem to catch them on at waterbury?

RipSomeLips22 · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 07:21 PM »

hali with a spike

pwfisher · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 07:23 PM »

you can go anywhere on the reservoir, just start on the bottom and work your way up until you get into them, don't stay in any particular spot for too long if your not getting into them, we catch them on haleys with one pink gulp alive waxie they are usually about 15 feet down. If your over by the dam I would go to the cliffs straight out on the left shoreline

pwfisher · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 07:23 PM »

Quote from: RipSomeLips22 on Feb 07, 2011, 07:21 PM

hali with a spike

I have found the gulp waxie outfishes spikes 2:1

Troutmagnet · « **Reply #20 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 07:32 PM »

Quote from: pwfisher on Feb 07, 2011, 07:23 PM

you can go anywhere on the reservoir, just start on the bottom and work your way up until you get into them, don't stay in any particular spot for too long if your not getting into them, we catch them on haleys with one pink gulp alive waxie they are usually about 15 feet down. If your over by the dam I would go to the cliffs straight out on the left shoreline

Thanks for all the good info. If you park off Gallison Hill access how long a hike is it to the cliffs???

pwfisher · « **Reply #21 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 07:49 PM »

Im not familar with gallison hill but im assuming that is the hill up to the boat launch, it might be 200 yards from the boat launch along that shoreline

Troutmagnet · « **Reply #22 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 07:52 PM »

Quote from: pwfisher on Feb 07, 2011, 07:49 PM

Im not familar with gallison hill but im assuming that is the hill up to the boat launch, it might be 200 yards from the boat launch along that shoreline

Thanks. Will have to try it out sometime.

pwfisher · « **Reply #23 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 08:40 PM »

you will have better luck on the blush hill side

RipSomeLips22 · « **Reply #24 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 08:51 PM »

did they keep the blush hill side plowed, or is it buried?

pwfisher · « **Reply #25 on:** Feb 07, 2011, 09:18 PM »

blush hill is plowed but as of sunday there was at least 4 inches of water on the road out, the ice is safe though

pokholes · « **Reply #26 on:** Feb 08, 2011, 08:19 AM »

Quote from: pwfisher on Feb 07, 2011, 06:45 PM

theres tons of trout in there they just never seem to be biting, theres also quite a few hog browns in there

It has been a real slow year at Waterbury for the Trout! Is it the same elsewhere this year? Slow on the Trout? Anyone?

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Author Topic: Champlain Smelt? (Read 3713 times)