Surf Smelt
The surf smelt, Hypomesus pretiosus, is a small schooling fish found along the Pacific coast of North America. Known for its silvery body, it frequents nearshore waters and is often found in bays and estuaries. Surf smelt are popular targets for both commercial and recreational fishing, particularly during their spawning runs. They primarily feed on plankton and small invertebrates, contributing to the coastal food web.
Length~15 (max 25)
Weight~0.1 (max 0.5)
WaterSalt
Water Temp7-11° F
- Other namesNight smelt
- Length~15 (max 25)
- Weight~0.1 (max 0.5)
- WaterSalt
- Water Temp7-11° F
Popular lures for Surf Smelt
Regulation for Surf Smelt
- SeasonAlways open
- Bag limit25 pounds
- Vessel limit-
- Trophy limits-
- Max sizeNo
- Min sizeNo
- Measurement-
- Prohibited methods-
Living Conditions
🐟 Habitat preferences
- Prefers nearshore waters, particularly bays, estuaries, and sandy beaches
- Often found in schools close to the surface, especially in areas with abundant plankton
- Feeds mainly on plankton, including copepods and other small invertebrates
- Commonly seen in shallow waters during spawning, especially along sandy shorelines
♻️ Life cycle and mating behavior
- Spawns in intertidal zones during high tides, often on sandy or gravelly beaches
- Eggs are adhesive and attach to sand grains, where they develop before hatching
- Spawning typically occurs during the night, with multiple peaks throughout the year
- After hatching, larvae drift with the currents to estuarine or coastal nursery areas