WDFW enforcement officers will be on site to monitor safety and compliance. Staff will also collect biological data to help track the run and guide future management decisions. (WDFW Police)
RIDGEFIELD, Wash. — As many observers were hoping for this week, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife approved an additional one-day recreational smelt fishery on the Cowlitz River Saturday, Feb. 21.
The additional smelt dipping opportunity comes as an earlier one-day opener saw sporadic turn-out and a few empty banks.
“After careful consideration of this week’s recreational harvest and mainstem Columbia River fishery data, we’re excited to open another dipping opportunity this weekend,” WDFW smelt lead Laura Heironimus said. “Available data indicates the smelt run size is large enough to support additional harvest while still meeting conservation goals.”
Where and how to fish
During the opening, shore-based dip-netting will be allowed from the Highway 432 Bridge near Kelso upstream to the Al Helenberg Memorial Boat Ramp, about 1,300 feet above the Highway 411/A Street Bridge in Castle Rock. Harvesting smelt from a vessel remains illegal.
Fishers must carry a valid Washington fishing license. Youth 15 and younger do not need a license.
Limits and enforcement
Each dip-netter may keep up to 10 pounds of smelt per day. This is roughly a quarter of a five-gallon bucket. Fishers must retain all smelt until they reach the limit, and each harvester must use a separate container.
WDFW enforcement officers will be on site to monitor safety and compliance. Staff will also collect biological data to help track the run and guide future management decisions.
Saturday’s additional one-day recreational smelt fishery in the Cowlitz River will be open from from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Early harvest data shows strong participation
Preliminary estimates from the Feb. 18 opener show about 2,800 dip-netters harvested roughly 14,675 pounds of smelt during the five-hour fishery.
However, fishery managers caution that smelt availability can change quickly due to river conditions, temperature and migration timing.
“As we saw this week, smelt migrations are highly variable, with conditions capable of changing rapidly, including overnight,” Heironimus said.
Safety and conservation considerations
WDFW is urging dip-netters to use caution due to potentially high river levels and to wear personal flotation devices.
Eulachon, commonly called smelt, remain listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. As a result, the fishery operates under a tentative schedule, with potential openings on Wednesdays and Saturdays through March 21, depending on run size and harvest data.
About the Author
1 thought on “Cowlitz River Smelt Fishery Opens Additional Day Saturday”