Yes it is very possable. Up here in Maine they use large nets or wire traps to catch the smelts. They then have to drop them through a box with a certain sized slot in the bottom (verys from year to year) If the smelt is too small it falls through. If it dosn't intho there bucket and to the bait shop it goes. If you are looking to get some for personaly use your better off jigging them or just shelling out $5 for a dozen.