Osmerus mordax
Rainbow smelt are small, silvery fish famous for their spring spawning runs in Maritime rivers. They're a popular dip-net and seine target, and they're one of the most important forage fish in eastern...
📷 Photo: Wikimedia Commons / D. R. Muse
Rainbow smelt are small, silvery fish famous for their spring spawning runs in Maritime rivers. They're a popular dip-net and seine target, and they're one of the most important forage fish in eastern Canada — both for predators and for human forage (they're delicious fried).
Small, slender, silvery body with an iridescent rainbow sheen (hence the name). Large mouth with prominent teeth. Adipose fin (small fleshy fin on the back near the tail, like salmonids). Forked tail. Pale green or blue-green back. Rarely exceeds 8–10 inches.
Rainbow smelt are anadromous in the Maritimes — they live in saltwater/brackish coastal waters and run up rivers and streams in massive numbers to spawn in early spring. They prefer cold water and spawn over gravel in fast-flowing tributaries.
Rainbow Smelt can be found across these provinces and territories:
Regulations vary by province and zone — always check the local rules before fishing. Browse detailed guides: New Brunswick · Newfoundland & Labrador · Nova Scotia · Prince Edward Island.
Matching your bait to the conditions is one of the biggest factors in catching Rainbow Smelt. Here's what works when:
| Weather / Condition | Best Bait & Lures | Technique |
|---|---|---|
| 🌸 Spring spawning run (night) | Dip nets, seine nets (check local regulations) | Smelt runs happen at night in early spring. Wade into shallow streams with a dip net as fish push upstream. |
| 🌙 Night (river) | Small jigs (1/64 oz), small flies | During runs, small jigs or flies cast into the flow catch smelt readily. |
| 🚤 Ice / Open water | Small jigs tipped with maggots, small spoons | In some areas, smelt are fished through the ice or from docks with small jigs. |
| 🌧️ After rain / High water | Dip nets in swollen streams | Rain triggers smelt runs — fish the push of fish moving up flooded streams. |
| 🌡️ Warming water (run trigger) | Dip nets in shallows at night | Smelt runs are triggered by warming water temperatures (~4–10°C) in early spring. |
Smelt fishing is almost exclusively a spring activity. Runs begin when water hits ~4–10°C, usually April–May in the Maritimes. Timing is critical — runs last only a few weeks. Check local regulations for gear (dip nets, seines) and limits.
Get a 7-day Rainbow Smelt bite forecast, offline regulations for every province, and AI-powered fishing advice — all in one app. Free for the 2026 season.