Welcome to the Smelt Shack

The Smelt Shack is a little old place
where we can get together
Smelt Shack baby, Smelt Shack bay-bee.
Smelt baby, that's where it's at,
Ooo Smelt baby, that's where it's at

From the outside on the Frozen Kennebec

The Stove

To Catch a Smelt

You bait a small hook with a tiny bit of sea worm and drop it in the drink. The line passes through a small button which begins to move when the smelt bites.

Waiting for the bite.

If your eyes are sharp and your hands quick when the button moves

you catch a smelt

Smelts +Kids = Smiles.

Yes, that is Uncle Doug behind Hallie, and he is picking his nose. Ha, Ha Uncle Doug!

and Hugs & Kisses?

Hey you, ya you, Take a kid fishin!

So Long from the Smelt Shack Baby

Info on our good friend Osmerus mordax

The Rainbow Smelt

Historically Rainbow Smelt were quite abundant in the Taunton River Watershed. Historic records indicate that a Commercial fishery existed for them through the late 1800's. Their current status within the watershed is not well known and not studied. Like the Herring, Rainbow Smelt are an anadromous specie which come up rivers from the sea to spawn. The Rainbow Smelt return to our rivers in February, spawning in March and early April.  Rainbow Smelt range from the Delaware River to our South all the way north to Labrador.

Along the Massachusetts coast smelt have declined significantly over the past several decades. It is not well understood why? My own opinion on the decline here in the Taunton Watershed is that it may be tied into the decline of eel grass beds in Narragansett and Mt Hope Bay. Many of our inshore species are directly dependant on eel grass, especially in their early life stages. Most eel grass beds have disappeared from Narragansett and Mt Hope Bay over the past several decades?

Life History of the Rainbow Smelt.... HERE

Local Smelt Issue.... HERE