Smelt Surf Smelt Hypomesus pretiosus 25.00 9.84 Also called the day smelt because of the timing of its spawning runs. Inhabits the surf line, feeding on small fishes and invertebrates. Surf smelt ride a wave onto the beach, lay and fertilize their eggs, and catch a return wave to the sea. The fry hatch approximately two weeks later during high tide. This fish is a favorite among surf anglers.
Edibility is good.
Range is from Alaska to Southern California.