The body of the European smelt is typically 15 to 18 cm (5.9 to 7.1 in) long, slender and slightly flattened on either side.

A freshwater form, known in Germany as the Binnenstint ("Inland smelt"), is common in the larger lakes of Northern Europe.

The smelt gather and swim about in the underflows of stronger currents in order to spawn above areas of sand.

Outside the spawning season in the autumn, smelts are found in the harbours on the Baltic Sea coast, where they can be caught with so-called Heringspaternoster lures.

In earlier times smelt could be caught in great quantities in rivers, and washing baskets were used instead of nets.

In modern times the smelt was of no real significance because it could only be caught in polluted rivers in small quantities and as a result was not in great demand.

In March–April the smelt season opens up with many street vendors offering the fresh merchandise; the cucumber smell allows for them to be found easily.