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The Wojciks reap the harvest of an eight-minute dip in Lake Michigan for smelt on April 12, 1956. New rigging has averaged more than 100 smelt per dip.
The Wojciks reap the harvest of an eight-minute dip in Lake Michigan for smelt on April 12, 1956. New rigging has averaged more than 100 smelt per dip.
Robert Kurgan, 5, left, and his brother George, 6, haul in a net with the expectation of a good catch of smelt on April 15, 1960, near North Avenue in Chicago.
Robert Kurgan, 5, left, and his brother George, 6, haul in a net with the expectation of a good catch of smelt on April 15, 1960, near North Avenue in Chicago.
Anthony Tallarico and his sons, John, 7, center, and Dominic, 9, reap the smelt haul from a gill net during the smelt run along the lakefront near the Shedd Aquarium on April 4, 1956.
Anthony Tallarico and his sons, John, 7, center, and Dominic, 9, reap the smelt haul from a gill net during the smelt run along the lakefront near the Shedd Aquarium on April 4, 1956.
Robert J. Miller, 13, shows his parents, Robert and Elvira, how to clean the smelt he caught in Lake Michigan near North Avenue Beach on April 15, 1960.
Robert J. Miller, 13, shows his parents, Robert and Elvira, how to clean the smelt he caught in Lake Michigan near North Avenue Beach on April 15, 1960.
Lynn Smekal makes minor repairs on her hand net while Elmer Feinberg pulls in his basket net hoping to find it filled with smelt at Burnham Harbor on April 20, 1962.
Lynn Smekal makes minor repairs on her hand net while Elmer Feinberg pulls in his basket net hoping to find it filled with smelt at Burnham Harbor on April 20, 1962.
Less than a dozen fishermen turned out for smelt fishing on April 16, 1967, at North Avenue Beach in Chicago. The fishermen spent more time near the fire since the fish were scant.
Less than a dozen fishermen turned out for smelt fishing on April 16, 1967, at North Avenue Beach in Chicago. The fishermen spent more time near the fire since the fish were scant.
Aided by artificial light, smelt netters work in the dark off the pier at Montrose Avenue Beach on April 24, 1970. This was one of the more productive spots along Lake Michigan, where several good hauls were made by the lucky ones.
Aided by artificial light, smelt netters work in the dark off the pier at Montrose Avenue Beach on April 24, 1970. This was one of the more productive spots along Lake Michigan, where several good hauls were made by the lucky ones.
Turning their backs on a brilliant Chicago skyline, fishermen Ed Kalina, from left, Joe Leno and his son Michael remove fish from their net at the lakefront near Adler Planetarium on April 14, 1971. The trio reported that the smelt run was very good that night and that last week they caught 300 in one night.
Turning their backs on a brilliant Chicago skyline, fishermen Ed Kalina, from left, Joe Leno and his son Michael remove fish from their net at the lakefront near Adler Planetarium on April 14, 1971. The trio reported that the smelt run was very good that night and that last week they caught 300 in one night.
People line up at the edge of Montrose Harbor to fish for smelt on April 14, 1972.
People line up at the edge of Montrose Harbor to fish for smelt on April 14, 1972.
Two fisherman haul in their net near Adler Planetarium in April 1972. The two were fishing for smelt in Lake Michigan.
Two fisherman haul in their net near Adler Planetarium in April 1972. The two were fishing for smelt in Lake Michigan.
A fisherman turned cook dips smelt into breading in preparation for frying just moments after they were caught on April 1, 1981.
A fisherman turned cook dips smelt into breading in preparation for frying just moments after they were caught on April 1, 1981.
Smelt are fried just minutes after being caught on April 1, 1981, in Chicago.
Smelt are fried just minutes after being caught on April 1, 1981, in Chicago.
Fishermen gather along the south side of the Naval Armory and prepare for an annual ritual of spring -- the lowering of their nets into Lake Michigan in search of smelt -- on April 1, 1981.
Fishermen gather along the south side of the Naval Armory and prepare for an annual ritual of spring — the lowering of their nets into Lake Michigan in search of smelt — on April 1, 1981.
The original caption reads “A table and chairs, some beer, and a deck of cards help fishermen pass the time along the lakefront.” The fishermen were lined up near Lake Michigan for the annual smelt run on April 1, 1981.
Hundreds of netters line Lake Michigan at 7 p.m. on April 1, 1986, for the opening of smelt season. According to the fishermen, it was a slow start to the season, with not many smelt being caught.
Hundreds of netters line Lake Michigan at 7 p.m. on April 1, 1986, for the opening of smelt season. According to the fishermen, it was a slow start to the season, with not many smelt being caught.
Jim Curtis, left, and Bob Blankshain display their catch of smelt on April 13, 1987, near Adler Planetarium. Night stalking of Lake Michigan's smelt is an annual April rite.
Jim Curtis, left, and Bob Blankshain display their catch of smelt on April 13, 1987, near Adler Planetarium. Night stalking of Lake Michigan’s smelt is an annual April rite.
Donna, Mike and Tony Monterubio flour and fry a few smelt while fishing for more in Lake Michigan near Shedd Aquarium on April 1, 1991.
Donna, Mike and Tony Monterubio flour and fry a few smelt while fishing for more in Lake Michigan near Shedd Aquarium on April 1, 1991.
Frank Perilli, left, and his friend Freddie Bartolo check their smelt net at North Avenue pier on April 1, 1990. The smelt were running a little slow on opening night, the fishermen said.
Frank Perilli, left, and his friend Freddie Bartolo check their smelt net at North Avenue pier on April 1, 1990. The smelt were running a little slow on opening night, the fishermen said.