Its a new species (to us) my friend discovered at a local lake while ice fishing.  The lake is 500 acres and 60' deep.   Is it a stupid question to ask if it could be a main forage for bass?  Thanks.

heres another photo

I can say with 100% certainty that the creature in the picture is in fact a fish.

I mainly came in to tell you to change your avi. You're no trout fisherman.

Sure looks like one to me, but not positive.

It's not a rainbow smelt unless you guys have smelt that are a lot bigger than the ones we have here.  Probably a different sub-species.

I can say with 100% certainty that the creature in the picture is in fact a fish.

I mainly came in to tell you to change your avi. You're no trout fisherman.

:-? Isn't that a brownie in his avitar?

I'm 99% sure that is a smelt from the pictures I can find. I'm sure like any other fish small enough for a bass to eat that is plays some kind of role in their diet.

Looks like one to me.

Sure is.

thanks guys!

and yes its a 4lb brown trout that came from a stream about 10' wide in my avi.

You're dam right bass will eat them.

Slender, soft rayed fish like that are a little protein snack for the fish in your lake.

up here we call them jack smelts , they are great eating