03-02-2004, 05:05 AM
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[/url]SMELT, RAINBOW Osmerus mordax.
Other names: American smelt, frostfish, leefish, toothed smelt, freshwater smelt; French: éperlan du nord.
One of the most prominent members of the Osmeridae family of smelts, the rainbow smelt is an important forage species for predatory fish and a principal target for inland and coastal commercial fishing. It is the subject of some recreational activity, particularly via dipnetting in the spring during spawning runs and ice fishing for landlocked populations in some lakes.
The rainbow smelt is a close relative of the eulachon of the Pacific, the pond smelt (Hypomesus olidus) of the western Arctic, the capelin of the Atlantic, and the European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus).
Originally an anadromous coastal species, smelt were first stocked inland in 1906, in streams and lakes feeding Lake Michigan in order to provide forage for salmonids. Eventually large smelt populations were found in all the Great Lakes, especially Lake Erie. There is some evidence that the smelt inhabiting Lake Ontario were not a result of these stockings but of an independent movement from Lake Champlain stocks.
Commercial fishing for rainbow smelt was primarily centered on the Atlantic Coast until the middle of the 20th century; in 1948 an experimental gillnet fishery was established in the Great Lakes, and became increasingly successful. Gradually, the Great Lakes fishery exceeded Atlantic Coast ventures in terms of the weight of total landings and their market value. However, coastal anadromous smelt are more highly valued -- fetching more than twice the price -- than inland smelt, and considered to be of superior food quality. Anglers fish for smelt for strictly food purposes, with extensive efforts generated in the Great Lakes and the coastal areas of Maritime provinces and northeastern states.
Identification. In appearance, the rainbow smelt is a slender, silver fish, with a pale green or olive-green back. Fresh from the water, the sides of the fish take on a purple, blue, or pink iridescent hue. The scales on the smelt are large and easily detached, and at spawning time those on the males develop small tubercles, resembling tiny buttons which serve as a mark of their sex. The lower jaw of the fish projects beyond the upper one and the entire mouth extends beyond the middle of the eye. On the tip of the
are large teeth. One large dorsal fin is located about halfway along the back and, behind that, a small adipose fin.
Size/Age. Most rainbow smelt are less than 8 inches long, although some coastal specimens measuring 14 inches have been found in the coastal waters of the Maritimes and in Lake Ontario. They may live at least 6 years.
Distribution. The rainbow smelt is widely distributed throughout eastern and western North America, inhabiting coastal waters as well as countless inland freshwater lakes. On the Atlantic Coast they are found from New Jersey in the south to Hamilton Inlet, Labrador, in the north. Their inland habitats include lakes in northeastern states and provinces, as well as throughout the Great Lakes from the St. Lawrence River through Lake Superior.
Populations of rainbow smelt also exist on the Pacific Coast from Vancouver Island northward around Alaska and eastward along the Arctic Coast at least as far as the Mackenzie River. The same species also ranges westward along the Arctic Coast of Russia to the North Sea, including the White Sea. These westerly fish are identified by some taxonomists as Arctic rainbow smelt, O. mordax dentex, while the easterly species is identified by those taxonomists as O. mordax mordax.
Habitat. The rainbow smelt is a pelagic schooling species, inhabiting inshore coastal regions and the midwaters of lakes. Since it is sensitive to both light and warmer temperatures, schools of smelt tend to concentrate near the bottom of lakes and coastal waters during daylight hours.
Life History. In the spring, both anadromous and landlocked adult smelt migrate upstream to freshwater spawning grounds. In some rivers, smelt begin their upstream migration before the spring thaw has begun. Spawners reach the tide head in the main tributaries when the water temperature is only 4°C to 5°C. In the Great Lakes, migration begins shortly after the ice breaks up, when the water temperature is at least 8°C. Smaller streams are entered when the temperature is 6°C to 7°C. Anadromous smelt in the Gaspé Peninsula spawn in similar temperatures, although some landlocked populations in Lake Champlain and lakes in New Hampshire may spawn in temperatures as low as 2°C.
Rainbow smelt remain at spawning sites for a number of days. Larger smelt of all ages spawn first, and the average size of smelt on the spawning grounds decreases as the season advances. Shortly after spawning many of the males die. Surviving males and females remain for about 5 to 10 days before migrating downstream.
Some smelt are mature at 2 years of age and all are mature at age 3. Fecundity varies from one area to another, with anadromous populations more fecund than landlocked populations. A fully grown female smelt from the Miramichi River in New Brunswick will produce about 70,000 eggs, while a similar-sized female from Lake Superior will produce about 31,000 eggs.
Spawning occurs mainly at night, typically over a gravelly bottom. The eggs are adhesive and stick to the gravel or other bottom objects. The time required for the eggs to hatch depends upon the water temperature, varying from 20 to 50 days. Female smelt grow more quickly than males, attain a larger size, and live longer. Smelt restricted to small inland lakes are usually smaller than elsewhere, and often do not exceed 4 inches.
Food. Zooplankton, insect larvae, aquatic worms, and small fish comprise the diet of rainbow smelt, with zooplankton being predominant.
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[/url]SMELT, RAINBOW Osmerus mordax.Other names: American smelt, frostfish, leefish, toothed smelt, freshwater smelt; French: éperlan du nord.
One of the most prominent members of the Osmeridae family of smelts, the rainbow smelt is an important forage species for predatory fish and a principal target for inland and coastal commercial fishing. It is the subject of some recreational activity, particularly via dipnetting in the spring during spawning runs and ice fishing for landlocked populations in some lakes.
The rainbow smelt is a close relative of the eulachon of the Pacific, the pond smelt (Hypomesus olidus) of the western Arctic, the capelin of the Atlantic, and the European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus).
Originally an anadromous coastal species, smelt were first stocked inland in 1906, in streams and lakes feeding Lake Michigan in order to provide forage for salmonids. Eventually large smelt populations were found in all the Great Lakes, especially Lake Erie. There is some evidence that the smelt inhabiting Lake Ontario were not a result of these stockings but of an independent movement from Lake Champlain stocks.
Commercial fishing for rainbow smelt was primarily centered on the Atlantic Coast until the middle of the 20th century; in 1948 an experimental gillnet fishery was established in the Great Lakes, and became increasingly successful. Gradually, the Great Lakes fishery exceeded Atlantic Coast ventures in terms of the weight of total landings and their market value. However, coastal anadromous smelt are more highly valued -- fetching more than twice the price -- than inland smelt, and considered to be of superior food quality. Anglers fish for smelt for strictly food purposes, with extensive efforts generated in the Great Lakes and the coastal areas of Maritime provinces and northeastern states.
Identification. In appearance, the rainbow smelt is a slender, silver fish, with a pale green or olive-green back. Fresh from the water, the sides of the fish take on a purple, blue, or pink iridescent hue. The scales on the smelt are large and easily detached, and at spawning time those on the males develop small tubercles, resembling tiny buttons which serve as a mark of their sex. The lower jaw of the fish projects beyond the upper one and the entire mouth extends beyond the middle of the eye. On the tip of the
are large teeth. One large dorsal fin is located about halfway along the back and, behind that, a small adipose fin. Size/Age. Most rainbow smelt are less than 8 inches long, although some coastal specimens measuring 14 inches have been found in the coastal waters of the Maritimes and in Lake Ontario. They may live at least 6 years.
Distribution. The rainbow smelt is widely distributed throughout eastern and western North America, inhabiting coastal waters as well as countless inland freshwater lakes. On the Atlantic Coast they are found from New Jersey in the south to Hamilton Inlet, Labrador, in the north. Their inland habitats include lakes in northeastern states and provinces, as well as throughout the Great Lakes from the St. Lawrence River through Lake Superior.
Populations of rainbow smelt also exist on the Pacific Coast from Vancouver Island northward around Alaska and eastward along the Arctic Coast at least as far as the Mackenzie River. The same species also ranges westward along the Arctic Coast of Russia to the North Sea, including the White Sea. These westerly fish are identified by some taxonomists as Arctic rainbow smelt, O. mordax dentex, while the easterly species is identified by those taxonomists as O. mordax mordax.
Habitat. The rainbow smelt is a pelagic schooling species, inhabiting inshore coastal regions and the midwaters of lakes. Since it is sensitive to both light and warmer temperatures, schools of smelt tend to concentrate near the bottom of lakes and coastal waters during daylight hours.
Life History. In the spring, both anadromous and landlocked adult smelt migrate upstream to freshwater spawning grounds. In some rivers, smelt begin their upstream migration before the spring thaw has begun. Spawners reach the tide head in the main tributaries when the water temperature is only 4°C to 5°C. In the Great Lakes, migration begins shortly after the ice breaks up, when the water temperature is at least 8°C. Smaller streams are entered when the temperature is 6°C to 7°C. Anadromous smelt in the Gaspé Peninsula spawn in similar temperatures, although some landlocked populations in Lake Champlain and lakes in New Hampshire may spawn in temperatures as low as 2°C.
Rainbow smelt remain at spawning sites for a number of days. Larger smelt of all ages spawn first, and the average size of smelt on the spawning grounds decreases as the season advances. Shortly after spawning many of the males die. Surviving males and females remain for about 5 to 10 days before migrating downstream.
Some smelt are mature at 2 years of age and all are mature at age 3. Fecundity varies from one area to another, with anadromous populations more fecund than landlocked populations. A fully grown female smelt from the Miramichi River in New Brunswick will produce about 70,000 eggs, while a similar-sized female from Lake Superior will produce about 31,000 eggs.
Spawning occurs mainly at night, typically over a gravelly bottom. The eggs are adhesive and stick to the gravel or other bottom objects. The time required for the eggs to hatch depends upon the water temperature, varying from 20 to 50 days. Female smelt grow more quickly than males, attain a larger size, and live longer. Smelt restricted to small inland lakes are usually smaller than elsewhere, and often do not exceed 4 inches.
Food. Zooplankton, insect larvae, aquatic worms, and small fish comprise the diet of rainbow smelt, with zooplankton being predominant.
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] and they grew big!