Where Does European Smelt Live?

European Smelt lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find European Smelt

Water type

brackish

Depth

Typically found in shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and lower reaches of rivers for anadromous populations. Landlocked populations inhabit freshwater lakes and reservoirs, often in deeper, cooler waters during summer.

Environment

Anadromous populations migrate from coastal marine waters into freshwater rivers and streams to spawn. Landlocked populations reside entirely in freshwater lakes, often moving to shallower areas for spawning. They prefer clear, well-oxygenated waters with sandy or gravelly bottoms.

Geographic range

Widespread in the North Atlantic and Arctic drainages of Europe, from the Baltic Sea and North Sea coasts, extending into Russia. Also found in landlocked populations in various European lakes and reservoirs.

Explore European Smelt