Rainbow Smelt
Osmerus mordax
Also called Smelt.
How to tell it
Pencil-sized silver fish with an adipose fin and a fresh-cucumber smell; winter harbor runs.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Take prohibited | 0 | Closed year-roundCT DEEP 2026 · checked | Put it back |
| Maine | No size limit | 1-4 quarts per day by zone and date; no daily limit east of Naskeag Point Jul 1-Mar 14 | Open year-round; gear, bag, and weekday closures vary by zoneME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Massachusetts | No size limit | 50 per day | Jun 16 – Mar 14MA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Hampshire | No size limit | 4 liquid quarts/day | Open year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
On the table
Delicious fried whole.
In the app
Point the camera at a rainbow smelt and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about rainbow smelt
How many rainbow smelt can you keep?
Maine: 1-4 quarts per day by zone and date; no daily limit east of Naskeag Point Jul 1-Mar 14; Massachusetts: 50 per day; New Hampshire: 4 liquid quarts/day.
Where is rainbow smelt harvest prohibited?
Connecticut. Release it there.
When is rainbow smelt season?
Massachusetts: Jun 16 – Mar 14.