Smelt fishing season continues on the lower Cowlitz River this Saturday! The first opener of the 2026 season was on Wednesday and while sample surveys in the Columbia looked good, everyone was a little nervous when the state reported just days earlier that there were nearly no smelt in the Cowlitz itself. Still, anglers showed up and found that they had just arrived! Plenty of limits were found by the guys fishing on Wednesday.
The first opener on February 18th was good. Estimates indicate 2,800 participants harvested 14,675 pounds of smelt for the five hour opener. There are several popular WDFW access points in the lower river where effort spread out. This was welcome news as just the day before the state reported zero smelt collected during morning sampling! Just goes to show what a difference a day makes! Check out the Cowlitz River smelt fishing page on the state site and their News Release
Additional one-day smelt fishery announced for Cowlitz River on Saturday, Feb. 21
RIDGEFIELD – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved an additional one-day recreational smelt fishery in the Cowlitz River from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21. The decision follows the 2026 season opener on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
“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,” said Laura Heironimus, WDFW’s smelt lead. “Available data indicates the smelt run size is large enough to support additional harvest while still meeting conservation goals.”
When the fishery is open, dip-netting from the shore is permitted from the Highway 432 Bridge near Kelso upstream to the Al Helenberg Memorial Boat Ramp, located about 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 of the fishery is available on the Cowlitz River smelt fishing webpage.
Fishers are reminded that a valid Washington fishing license is required. Non-residents must also possess a valid Washington fishing license. Youth 15 and under do not need a fishing license. Refer to the fishing license types and fees webpage for more information.
Each dip-netter may retain a daily limit of up to 10 pounds of smelt. 10 pounds of smelt is about a quarter of a five-gallon bucket. Fishers must keep all smelt caught until they reach the daily limit. Each harvester must be actively participating and is required to use a separate container.
WDFW Enforcement will be present to ensure public safety and enforce smelt fishing regulations, including the license requirement, 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. Data collected from the recreational fishery provides valuable information that helps WDFW learn more about the run, improve monitoring, and meet conservation goals.
Preliminary estimates from the Wednesday, Feb. 18 season opener indicate 2,800 dip-netters harvested 14,675 pounds of smelt during the five-hour fishery. Fishery managers emphasize that natural factors such as water temperatures, river flows, and unpredictable migration patterns can affect smelt availability on days open to dip-netting. WDFW provides general observations on water conditions and smelt presence on the Cowlitz River smelt fishing webpage when available.
“As we saw this week, smelt migrations are highly variable, with conditions capable of changing rapidly, including overnight,” said Heironimus. “Management decisions use the best available data at the time, but conditions and fish availability can differ from one open day to the next.”
With potentially strong river levels and flows on the Cowlitz River, dip-netters should exercise caution. WDFW recommends wearing personal flotation devices (lifejackets).
The Cowlitz River smelt fishery is managed under a tentative schedule approach. Under this strategy, WDFW proposes tentative smelt dipping opportunities on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Feb. 4 through March 21. WDFW evaluates commercial landings and catch reports weekly to determine if the smelt run size is large enough to support a recreational harvest.
Eulachon, commonly known as Columbia River smelt, are listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. To protect this sensitive population, fisheries are carefully managed. Learn more about smelt management strategies, population monitoring, and harvest criteria in the Washington and Oregon Eulachon Management Plan.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
