Ice Fishing for Smelt in Michigan: Catch, Clean, and Cook!
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- In this episode, the Brunner Fishing Posse targets smelt through the ice on one of the many smelt lakes in Michigan. Afterwards, we show you a couple different ways to clean them as well as how to cook them. If you enjoy the content, please take a moment to like and subscribe. Thank you so much for watching!
I'm 62 years old I have smelt fished Lake Michigan and Lake Superior with Nets for years but I've never seen anyone fish for smelt with hook and line you definitely have a lot of patience outstanding thank you for the great video 😊
@@richardcapellesr7031 Thank you so much for your kind words, Richard! We’ll have more episodes like this one in the future. Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already. Hope you have a great day! 😊
@BrunnerFishingPosse Definitely have to comment on your backbone removal of every one of those smelt you have the patience of a saint!. Probably the best tasting also Thank you😊
@ They’re wonderful that way! It’s also a great way to get the kids to eat them without finding any bones.
On Higgins lake by Houghton lake they catch them alot on rods ,only at night
The Inland Lakes smelt are the best eating experience you'll ever have.. they're big you could almost fillet them just the best eating ever
I have always appreciated parents teaching their children to fish and hunt. A skill that lasts a lifetime. Good dad there! 😊
@@ChrisLaprise-p8n Thank you so much, Chris! We’ll have more wholesome family outdoor episodes like this in the future. Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already. Hope you have a great day! 😊
@BrunnerFishingPosse Done + all
@@ChrisLaprise-p8n Thanks again, Chris!
@BrunnerFishingPosse You're welcome 🤗
great show, fishing with your kids, learning how to clean and eat smelt, and of course eating them. keep it up.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Clem! ❤ There will be more episodes with this same wholesome content in the future. Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already. Hope you have a great day! 😊
My father and his brothers took us to Point Peelee Canada smelt dipping every year for about 15 years straight. We would get home about 10.00 at night and clean smelt till about 4.00 in the morning, of course somebody was flouring and cooking them while we cleaned them. We would bring home 4 or 5 five gallon buckets full. Clean, bag and freeze then, we had smelt all year. I never knew Michigan had smelt lakes, and I never seen smelt that big, had no idea they had teeth either. We just stopped going because the catch didn`t work off shore anymore, they were out deeper, sure miss those day, great video.
@@joebacarella2829 Thank you so much for the kind words, Joe! 😊 We’re glad this brought back some great memories for you! Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already--there will be more episodes like this. Have a great day!
Go Daddy!! You and yours are the future of this great nation, thank you Sir!
@@jayrobertson232 Thank you so much for the kind words, Jay! We’ll have more episodes like this in the future, so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already. Have a great day!
Smelt through the ice is the best! Years ago my father and rented a ice shanty near Interlochen Mi. and had a blast, one of my fondest memories of fishing with my father who has passed away now but he remains in my thoughts due to experiences like that one.
We’re so glad this brought back some memories for you, Roger! 😊 It’s very heartwarming to read comments like this. Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already--we’ll have more episodes like it in the future. Hope you have a great day!
Awesome family activity
In the 70’s we had real winters and smelt fishing just like you did is what we did!
Lake Ann in Benzie County!
@@michaelmancini5679 We’re so glad this brought back some great memories for you, Michael! Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already. We’ll have more episodes with this same type of wholesome family fun. Thank you so much for watching!
Don’t forget Crystal lake 👍👍
awesome video, hello from Vermont!!!!! i love seeing the kids enjoying the ice!!!! happy to subscribe
@@chelseaboss099 Thank you so much, Chelsea! We’ll have more episodes like this in the future. We hope to inspire others to get outdoors and most importantly--get kids involved in the outdoors! Hope you have a great day! 😊
I would never have thought about 'smelt' when fishing in Michigan, but they look fun to catch and even better to eat. Time with kids is priceless!
@@gregj831 Couldn’t agree more! It makes for some fantastic memories. 😊 Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already. There will be more episodes like this one.
So nice to see you out with the boys. My dad took me out at that age and its stuck with my my whole life.
@@thobbs4054 Thank you so much for the kind words! 😊 It has been heartwarming to see all these comments mentioning that this brought back memories. Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already--there will be more shows like this to come.
I love ice fishing for smelt, whats not fun about catching 75+ fish in 3 hours, no matter how big they are! The lake by me is pretty good, but the smelt are huge. TY for the demonstration on what you do to cook the big ones =)
@@nothanks611 Thank you so much for the kind words! 😊 We agree--it’s a great way to spend quality time with family and friends. Hope you have a great day!
That's a first for me to see. Kids look like they had a great time. Keep up the great work.
@@robertanderson3802 Thank you so much for the kind words, Robert! 😊 We’re so glad you enjoyed the show. Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already. We’ll have more shows like this in the future. Hope you have a great evening!
Hello I just found your channel and subscribed. I haven't been smelt fishing in 30+ years. Great Job on teaching your boys to do it. Great job Young Men. Great job to you. Can't wait to see the next one. Tight lines my friends
@@scottphillips3521 Thank you so much for the kind words, Scott! 😊 We’re so glad you enjoyed the show. There will be more wholesome episodes like this in the future that will be perfect for the whole family to watch.
Well done ! And great memories……
Thank you so much, Wayne! 😊 There will be more shows like it in the future. Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already. Hope you have a great day!
Great to see the kids out there, nice job! I haven’t had smelt in years, looks like you got it dialed.
@@MH-yu5yp Thank you so much for the kind words! 😊 Smelt make for a wonderful meal. Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already--we’ll have other shows like this one in the future.
Just found your channel and I love smelt and yours look as good as any I have seen, living in northern Indiana we don’t have smelt in our lakes that I know of and it’s great you are teaching your children about the outdoors and how to prepare and cook thanks for sharing and take care
@@Don-outdoors-cg2eb Thank you so much for the kind words, Don! Our goal is to inspire people to get outdoors and especially to get kids involved in the outdoors. Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already--if you enjoy a wholesome fishing show like this, we’ll have plenty more like it coming out in the future. Hope you have a great day! 😊
@ I subscribe right away thank you
@ Thanks, Don! ❤️😊
I love smelt through the ice. First time I’ve seen anybody remove the bones though, cool
@loganschendel9965 It’s a great winter activity for all ages! 😊 Thank you so much for watching, Logan! Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already--we’ll have more episodes with this same type of stuff in the future. Have a great day!
gosh i remember when i was a kid in the 70's and we would put out the nets for smelt and stay out all night and actually bribg home five gallon buckets full of them.. great times ..never to come again..😢
@@utuber2940 Thank you so much for watching! If anything, we’re glad this brought back some fond memories ❤️. Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already--we’ll have more shows like this one in the future. Hope you have a great day! 😊
Boys, great job and they sure looked tasty!
@@lancecashler5547 Thank you so much for the kind words, Lance! 😊 We’re so glad you enjoyed it! We’ll have more like this in the future. Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already.
Those were some monster smelt great job❤️🫡
@@nwohiooutdoors Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching the show! 😊 Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already.
Looks absolutely delicious
@@tedtonaschefski3801 Thank you so much, Ted! 😊 We sincerely appreciate it. Don’t forget to subscribe if you enjoyed the show. Hope you have a great day!
We always dipped. The early 70's were insane if you hit the right time. People were lined up from the Blue Water Bridge shoulder to shoulder down. Four of us working moms scissors while the old man is on the phone calling his buddys drinking ,want some smelt? Are they cleaned? lol. They were a year long staple. I dont eat them anymore. ;}
@@seal7987 Thank you so much for watching! 😊Love hearing stories like yours from the good old days of smelt dipping! Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already--we’ll have more episodes like this in the future.
@@BrunnerFishingPosse They also are great bait on a trap line.
@ I bet they work like a charm for that! 🤟In the very start of the intro of this video where I’m holding the pike, my raccoon hat I was wearing in that photo was one I trapped myself. 😎
Nice video Brunner! You should bring your boys over to my trout pond this winter! --TD
@@TAGEquipment-o7v Thanks, Tim! That would be fun sometime!
bars in the u.p. used to serve them instead of popcorn , peanuts, pretzels etc., put a basket of smelt on the table before you even ordered a beer......55 gallon drums were a common fill up, no doubt most ended up in peoples gardens ( who's gonna clean 55 gallons of smelt ) been decades since i've seen people dippin.......
@@j.z.5539 They’re absolutely delicious! So glad to see so many people recalling these awesome memories. 😊Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already--there will be more episodes like this one in the future.
I used to fish Higgins Lake at night using a lantern at a hole
supposedly the light would lure smelt. What great fun I also would use a smelt on a tip up great for pike or trout
@@gordonflaim8762 We’re so glad to hear this brought back some great memories for you! 😊 Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already--we’ll have more smelt videos in the future!
I heard several yrs ago, that the fish used in shows at like aquariums with seals the fish are actually smelt. Like to catch some that big.
@@timothylondo That’s what I was guessing they were too when we’ve seen those shows. The seals clearly love eating them! Thank you so much for watching! 😊 Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already--we’ll have other episodes like this in the future.
Best smelt in the world is out of these clear Lakes in Michigan, I live in northern Michigan, by Black Lake we get them out of Clear Lake, other lakes out o u r backdoor, best eating ever I just yeah I love them
I'm not talking all the Great Lakes I'm talking about the Inland Lakes best eating smelt ever
@@Terp. They’re fantastic! I’ve caught plenty of smelt out of that same Clear Lake as well on several occasions while targeting splake many years ago. Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already! There will be more episodes like this in the future.
Im going to have check the rocky river over here in cleveland. Its had rainbow smelt in it in yhe spring. Might be some down there now with the ice melt.
@@kevinerbs2778 Hope you catch a bunch! Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already--we’ll have more smelt episodes in the future. 😊
Hi, looks like fun. What size Dewalt do you use . Thanx
@@scottrutkai8813 It’s the 20V MAX DCD771. I’ve used it for years (on the 1 & drill settings) and love it. Thank you so much for watching! 😊 Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already. Have a great weekend!
Homemade tartar is always the way good stuff!!!!!!
@@calvincarter5444 You’re absolutely right, Calvin! We’ll have more episodes like this in the future. Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already. Hope you have a great day!
Mmm we get large ones (12") here in SW AK. Very delicious
@@Ykdelta Those are whopper smelt! Thank you so much for watching! 😊 Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already--we’ll have more episodes like this in the future.
So where does one actually go smelt fishing in Michigan in the winter never caught any through the ice only heard about it
@@timothybabcock9716 Hi Tim! Thanks for watching! The Michigan DNR has a list of smelt opportunities on streams and lakes on their website. Here’s the link (see the 2nd page of the document): www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/DELETE/Smelt_Dipping-Fishing_Opportunities.pdf?rev=a879752fdd234c5f8bc764f85cf6c568
Hope you have a great day, & don’t forget to subscribe! :)
Higgins is historically a great smelt ice fishery. Look for a Michigan Out of Doors episode.
Higgins, duck lake Green lake near interlocken
Check DNR website there are several lakes in Michigan with land locked smelt.
@@douglasvoorhees5941 Dont forget Crystal !
Smelt dipping as I remember was a party in the water
@@cybaker6369 Glad this brought back some good memories for you! 😊 Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already--we’ll have more smelt episodes in the future.
in michigan they called it smelt drinking. after salmon were planted it was never the same.
@ I’ve heard plenty of those stories. 😆 For me nowadays, it’s “Go home at 8pm to get the kids to bed” while everyone else stays until midnight! Thank you so much for watching. Hope you have a great weekend & don’t forget to subscribe!
I'm from kalkaka. We used to fish big twin lake for smelt. Do you know there's still a good population in there?
@@ChrisLaprise-p8n Thank you so much for watching, Chris! I’d imagine there’s still some in there if it had them previously. That’s one I’ve never fished, but I do know it’s supposed to have some rainbow trout now. Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already. Hope you have a great day!
What size hook?
@@timothylondo The plain hooks are all a size 16 fly hook. Thank you so much for watching! 😊
So, you're eating Minnows? I never fished for them and don't think I ever saw them in the store. Maybe someday I'll try them.
Yes! Smelt are outstanding table fare. 😊 when cooked fresh right away (never frozen), they are very mild and no “fishy” taste. Here in Michigan, they’re extremely popular.
I caught 131 one night on a northern lake. I had to make myself quit. My Garmin was lit up like a Christmas tree all night long.
@@debbiegrooman5800 I bet it made for some great meals! 😊 Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already--there will be more episodes like this in the future. Have a great day!
Fish Superior lots for smelt but not too many make it to the pan, they are great laker bait.
@@seanbennett7916 they are fantastic bait! Thanks so much for watching, Sean! 😊
Eat whole... very good.
Gutted anyway
I was initiated to the club around 6yo. by biting the head off . Never seen anybody fillet them. Great video.
@@paulstubbings645 Thank you so much, Paul! 😊 I’ve definitely seen a few people bite the head off a smelt in my time. 😆 We’ll have more episodes like this in the future. Don’t forget to subscribe if you didn’t already. Thank you so much for watching!
@@BrunnerFishingPosse definitely mr. We netted off a small pier on Ontario back in the 80’s and chased them up creeks in the finger lakes in the 90’s . Good times. 👍
@ I bet that was so much fun back in the day! So glad this brought back some good memories for you. ❤️
@ have you tried them head off and gutted. ?
@ That exactly how we did about half of them on the platter in the video--head off and gutted! That’s how we do all the small to average size ones. Only the biggest ones get butterflied. They’re delicious both ways 😋!!!
He who Smelt it Delt it!!
@@MW-xm1rc And he who denies his supply of smelt is probably catching a good supply of smelt! Thank you so much for watching! 😊 Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already.
If you are going to teach them to fish, they MUST learn to dress and cook what they catch or what is the point!! I had great teachers for outdoor lore, and loved every minute that I could spend outside.
@@rweisele You’re absolutely right! 😊Thank you so much for watching! Don’t forget to subscribe if you enjoyed the content.
I don't know why you waste time ribbing them, when I lived in Ashland Wi. we never ribbed them .They have small enough bones ,"even big ones" that they fry right up.
If you like them that way, that’s great! The kids definitely notice the bones on the bigger ones, so butterflying has been the solution to getting around that hurdle.