In some western parts of the United States, smelt populations have greatly declined in recent decades, leading to their protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The earliest known fossil smelt is Enoplophthalmus from the Early Oligocene of Europe; Speirsaenigma from the Paleocene of Canada may be an even earlier representative, although some authors instead consider it a relative of the ayu.

[4] Salangidae, Plecoglossus Hypomesus Mallotus Osmerus Thaleichthys Allosmerus Spirinchus In the Canadian provinces and U.S. states around the Great Lakes, "smelt dipping" is a common group sport in the early spring and when stream waters reach around 4 °C (39 °F).

In the present day, smelts are fished commercially using nets at sea, and for recreation by hand-netting, spearing or angling them through holes in river ice.

Typical ways of preparing them include pan-frying in flour and butter, deep-frying in batter and cooking them, directly out of the water, over small stoves in the shacks.

[7] Eulachon, a type of smelt, contains so much oil during spawning that, once dried, it can literally be burned like a candle; hence its common nickname of the "candlefish".

[7] Smelt is popular in Japan, as the species Sprinchus lanceolatus, and is generally served grilled, called shishamo, especially when full of eggs.

[citation needed] In the city of Inje, South Korea (Gangwon Province), an Ice Fishing Festival is held annually from 30 January to 2 February on Soyang Lake, coinciding with the smelt's yearly run into fresh water to spawn.

For some Italians, especially from the region of Calabria, fried smelts are a traditional part of the Christmas Eve dinner consisting of multiple courses of fish.

[7] The village of Lewiston, New York, on the lower portion of the Niagara River, celebrates an annual two-day smelt festival the first weekend in May.

Located on the Western shore of Lake Michigan, 35 miles (56 km) north of Milwaukee, Port Washington has a long history as a fishing community with commercial and sports ventures.