smelt fishing lakes

[jigginWiggin]

was just curious about smelt fishing any freshwater ponds or lakes what lakes to fish and if they are biting

[thefinlessbrown2]

i really know little on the regulations of fresh water smelting but i know a few bigger lakes have rainbow smelt populations.but i hear they aren't what they used to be ..winni squam maybe newfound and ossipee others as well i'm sure.salt water smelting is where its at ..

[taz]

I've been told that they are catching them at Mascoma using small hooks with white or pink spikes.  Haven't gone myself, but thats what they are saying.

[Pail Rider]

The closest place to jig smelts to you JW is Highland Lake in Andover.  Like Taz said, small hooks (#12 or #14) tipped with a little meat...having a flasher makes locating the schools much easier.

[james]

I would try a small pond that holds smelt, over a big lake. thats what the bait dealers do. i have never fished for them, but i have seen older gentlemen catch them with sz 10 hooks, and little peices of garden worms. dropped 5' at a time untill they find them.

                                                                                 james

[skip54]

I was told deering reservoir holds some good rainbow smelt .

[geo]

i tried it a couple weeks ago jigging smelt is harder than i guessed. i can usually do well in the brackish water rivers but pinds are tough next time i'm going to try 2 size 10 red octopus hooks on 4 lb test and a 1/16 dropper weight on the bottom, and fish with worms or mealies. just a thought though.