Smelt

[matthothand]

If you plan on using smelt in MN for bait make sure you get it from a registered smelt processor and each package has a lot number and reciept. The regulations on using smelt for bait have changed and the smelt must be preserved atleast one of three ways by an approved person or business. I just got word that Fish Lake Bait in Harris was certified and they have smelt ready to go. With tightening smelt regs every year I figured somebody would have a hard time getting some so I thought I'd share. I'm going to pick up a bunch this week so I have it for a few trout trips later.

[pulleye16]

Anyone know where you can find some near Garrison / Aitkin area???

[maddowg1192000]

Have you tried moreys in brainerd? I am going to give them a call tomorrow to see if they have any, I will let you know. If you find a place in the area please let me know

[Tom7227]

I just came back from the shop in Harris and he has a decent supply but cannot sell them until December 7. He charged me $7 a dozen and $3 to ship them to me after that date. very nice guy. They were about7 inches long and were drying with a mixture of borax and salt.

[ladyfishfinder]

just bite me bait in Babbit has ciscoes certified up to code too

[Mike Stark]

Babes Bait and Tackle as well as Great Outdoors will have legal ciscos for sale. Both are located in Ely.

[JimBuck]

Anyone in the twin cities selling smelt?

[reinhard1]

vados baits in spring lake park of 65. 763-784-6728. good people. good luck.

[maddowg1192000]

just got off the phone with vados and they dont have any

[reinhard1]

you are correct. they did have them when i called last. apperently they did know of the new regs so they had to toss what they have. they are now in the proccess of figuring out how to sell them within the law. they will try as soon as possible to be able to sell them. in my opinion they are one of the better bait shops around. good luck.

[maddowg1192000]

I working hard on finding places that are going to be selling them this season. So far have 2 places in Ely that will have ciscos and 1 place in harris that will have smelt

[Tom7227]

The guy at the Harris Bait shop showed me the boxes of smelt that he had packed and ready to go and then he found out about the new regs. He was in the process of opening all the packages and processing them within the new regs. He had one batch that was going to be ready on dec 7. They were sitting on cardboard 'drying'?? after being coated with what he said was borax and salt. They had been gutted before as well when he had them in the other packaging.

[Steve Foss]

The guy at the Harris Bait shop showed me the boxes of smelt that he had packed and ready to go and then he found out about the new regs. He was in the process of opening all the packages and processing them within the new regs. He had one batch that was going to be ready on dec 7. They were sitting on cardboard 'drying'?? after being coated with what he said was borax and salt. They had been gutted before as well when he had them in the other packaging.

Just as an FYI, gutted smelt/cisco tend not to be as successful for bait as the whole smelt/cisco. I'd use the gutted ones only if I couldn't find whole ones. Not saying they won't work, just that they won't work as well.

[maddowg1192000]

Moreys in Brainerd are now selling frozen great white smelt