Lake Champlain Smelt

[fishbbc]

We were fishing for perch on the lake and had a few smelt messing around with our bait (confirmed with camera). I was wondering if anyone has tried fishing for them at night on Lake Champlain. I know on other bodies of water with smelt they congregate in large numbers after dark whereas only a few here and there during the day. Since we did see a few during the day, maybe at night there would be a larger school? I miss the days of catching them by the thousands 20+ years ago. Maybe they're making a slow comeback. I have heard of people catching a few here and there in the last few years.

[mudchuck]

We were fishing for perch on the lake and had a few smelt messing around with our bait (confirmed with camera). I was wondering if anyone has tried fishing for them at night on Lake Champlain. I know on other bodies of water with smelt they congregate in large numbers after dark whereas only a few here and there during the day. Since we did see a few during the day, maybe at night there would be a larger school? I miss the days of catching them by the thousands 20+ years ago. Maybe they're making a slow comeback. I have heard of people catching a few here and there in the last few years.

I've caught them in a few locations in I.S. during the day, only went out once after dark but never had them school up like Rez or Joe's.
Mind PM'ing me a general location where you found them & I'll go attempt a night scout mission

[fishbbc]

It was just Malletts bay, not a big secret or anything. In fact the fishing was terrible. The big thrill of the day was seeing there was a few smelt around!

[stick eyes]

I remember years ago when i was driving past black bridge at St.Albans bay going to fish off the point . I kept seeing a lot  of people out near the outlet and towards the park  . Not the norm. I finally stopped and went out and nailed the smelt . Never seen anything like it . They would hit anything. Have no idea why they were in the shallow waters 

[EyERipLip]

I caught about 18 in the middle of the day in 8 ft of water a few days ago. Not typical could be the salmon and other fish pushing em into the shallows. All I could think of

[troutcrazy]

I've been out at night, with a submersible light, a couple times without success. 
A year or two ago there was a report of success.

Every once in a while I catch a smelt or two in the daytime or just after sunset.

They are out there.  I bet they are catchable if we were to put in the time to figure it out.