Rainbow Smelt
Osmerus mordax
Rainbow smelt are small, silvery fish with a distinctive cucumber-like odor when fresh. They are an important forage fish for larger predators and were historically harvested commercially and recreationally.
Rainbow Smelt at a glance
- Scientific name
- Osmerus mordax
- Typical size
- 6-10 inches, 0.25-0.5 lbs
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Common
Habitat
Rainbow smelt inhabit cold, clear lakes and coastal waters, moving into tributaries to spawn. In Florida, they are not native but may occasionally be found in very deep, cold lakes or as bait fish. They prefer temperatures below 70°F and are more common in northern states.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a rainbow smelt through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksRainbow Smelt questions people ask
Rainbow Smelt is Osmerus mordax.
A typical rainbow smelt runs 6-10 inches, 0.25-0.5 lbs. Cobia records the length and weight of every rainbow smelt you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Rainbow smelt inhabit cold, clear lakes and coastal waters, moving into tributaries to spawn. In Florida, they are not native but may occasionally be found in very deep, cold lakes or as bait fish. They prefer temperatures below 70°F and are more common in northern states. It is a fresh water species, filed under freshwater in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.