Smelt dippers will return to the banks of the Cowlitz River as the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved recreational fisheries for Wednesday, March 12, and Saturday, March 15.
Dip-netting will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.
“After careful consideration of this year’s smelt run size, we’re excited to offer multiple dipping opportunities in the Cowlitz River,” said Laura Heironimus, WDFW’s Columbia River smelt lead. “Below average water temperatures delayed this year’s run, though recent fishery data indicates the run size is large enough to support recreational harvest.”
When the fishery is open, fishers can dip-net from the shore of the Cowlitz River from the Highway 432 Bridge near Kelso upstream to the Al Helenberg Memorial Boat Ramp, located approximately 1,300 feet upstream of the Highway 411/A Street Bridge in Castle Rock.
It is unlawful to harvest smelt from a vessel. A detailed map, including fishing boundaries and popular access locations, is available on the Cowlitz River smelt fishing webpage at https://wdfw.wa.gov/node/119094/latest#maps.
A current Washington fishing license is required to dip-net for smelt. A Washington combination, freshwater or temporary license is valid. Children 14 and under do not need a fishing license. Visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing/types-fees for more information.
Each dip-netter is allowed to keep a daily limit of up to 10 pounds of smelt. Fishers must keep all smelt they net regardless of size, sex or condition.
Each harvester must be actively participating and is required to use a separate container to hold their catch, which must be in their presence or marked with their name.
WDFW enforcement officers will be present for public safety and to enforce smelt fishing regulations, including the license requirement, the 10-pound limit and separate container requirement. Signs will be posted reminding fishers of the license requirement and regulations.
WDFW staff will also be present to collect biological data from smelt harvested during the fishery.
In late January, WDFW announced a tentative schedule for the Cowlitz River smelt fishery, proposing 14 tentative dipping opportunities on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Feb. 5 through March 22. The schedule can be viewed at https://shorturl.at/250Z2.
Fishers are reminded that even if commercial fishery or WDFW test fishery landings indicate a run size large enough for sustainable harvest, natural factors — such as water conditions, timing and unpredictable migration patterns — can affect smelt availability on days open for dip-netting.
With potentially strong river levels and flows on the Cowlitz River, dip-netters are strongly advised to exercise caution. WDFW recommends the use of personal flotation devices.
Fishery managers will continue to monitor the run size and recreational harvest to determine if future tentative dates can be approved. The next update will occur Friday, March 14, to consider March 19 and March 22 recreational fisheries.
The smelt fishing season closes after March 22.
