Columbia/Cowlitz Smelt Updates
January 10, 2008

Fishing Rule Updates are available by calling (360) 696-6211 *1010 Here are some web sites that provide daily river data: Cowlitz River water flow and levels: USGS Web site Columbia River estuary water temperature: CORIE Web site

Conditions:

The Cowlitz River at Castle Rock is running at 14,000 CFS. The temperature of the lower Columbia River is 42º and the Cowlitz River is 43º. Smelt prefer water of at least 40º or warmer. No sign of significant bird or marine mammal activity from Puget Island upstream to the Cowlitz River.

Catches:

Columbia River:

Commercial:

• Not much activity Monday. Fishers are reporting a small upswing in catches today in the Skamokawa to Cathlamet area, but nothing further upstream.
• 126 lbs Preliminary estimate. Cumulative since late-December.

Cowlitz River:

Sport:

• WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, January 9th, produced no catch.

Commercial:

• No commercial landings reported for January 6th and 9th.
• 0 lbs cumulative since January 2nd.

Sport Seasons/Regulations:

Tributaries - Sport dipping is only allowed on the Cowlitz River, from 6 AM to 10 PM Saturdays through March 31st. The daily limit is 10 lbs per person per day. This is equivocal to ¼ of a 5 gallon bucket.

Mainstem Columbia River - daily limit is 25 lbs per person per day and the fishery is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Commercial Seasons:

Columbia River – 9 hour periods Mondays and Thursdays.

Cowlitz River – 6 hour periods Sunday and Wednesday nights.