Smelt fishing is closed under permanent regulations.
The southern distinct population segment of (DPS) of eulachon, commonly known as “Columbia River smelt,” supports a popular recreational dip-net fishery in Southwest Washington. These small, silver fish are known for their oily texture and represent one of the few dip-net fisheries in Washington.
For the latest updates on the 2025 Cowlitz River recreational smelt fishery, refer to the current smelt season section.
Smelt were listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2010. To protect this sensitive population, fisheries are carefully managed and do not occur every year. When fisheries do occur, they are often brief — as short as a single day, or even just a few hours — with openings confirmed a few days in advance.
The limited notice and short duration of fisheries have presented logistical challenges for all involved. Fishers and local communities must rapidly prepare for visitor impacts, while fishery managers focus on supporting creel efforts, and enforcement staff work under tight timelines to monitor compliance. The recent addition of a fishing license requirement for smelt fishers has further highlighted the need for improved planning and communication to better support the fishery.
In response to these challenges, WDFW is introducing a tentative schedule approach for the Cowlitz River recreational smelt fishery in 2025. For more information, refer to the smelt season setting and management section.
Refer to the Columbia River smelt test fishing webpage to review 2025 test fishing results.
Current smelt season
Current smelt season updates
Eulachon (smelt) fishing is closed unless fishery managers approve tentative fishing dates through an emergency fishing rule. The fishing dates, proposed for only Wednesdays and Saturdays from Feb. 5 through March 22, remain tentative and will only be confirmed after weekly smelt run size evaluations.
Tentative fishing dates under consideration:
There are no tentative fishing dates under consideration. The 2025 recreational smelt season closed after March 22.
Tentative schedule details
Below is the completed tentative schedule for the 2025 Cowlitz River recreational smelt fishery.
| Date | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| CLOSED | Fishery data insufficient to confirm run size. | |
| CLOSED | Fishery data insufficient to confirm run size. | |
| CLOSED | Fishery data insufficient to confirm run size. | |
| CLOSED | Fishery data insufficient to confirm run size. | |
| CLOSED | Fishery data insufficient to confirm run size. | |
| CLOSED | Fishery data insufficient to confirm run size. | |
| CLOSED | Fishery data insufficient to confirm run size. | |
| CLOSED | Fishery data insufficient to confirm run size. | |
| CLOSED | Fishery data insufficient to confirm run size. | |
| CLOSED | Fishery data insufficient to confirm run size. | |
| March 12 | APPROVED | Dip-netting permitted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. |
| March 15 | APPROVED | Dip-netting permitted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. |
| March 19 | APPROVED | Dip-netting permitted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. |
| March 22 | APPROVED | Dip-netting permitted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. |
Key information
- Pending dates: Dates listed as “pending” are tentative dates currently under consideration. Final decisions for all dates will be posted to this webpage.
- How decisions are made: Fishery managers will evaluate commercial landings, or catch reports, weekly to determine if the smelt run size is large enough to support a recreational harvest.
- Refer to the Columbia River smelt test fishing webpage to review 2025 test fishing results.
- License requirement: A valid Washington fishing license is required for all participants. Visit the fishing license types and fees webpage for information. To register for a free WILD ID or purchase a fishing license, visit the WDFW licensing website.
For more information about the tentative Cowlitz River recreational smelt schedule, refer to the smelt season setting and management or frequently asked questions sections.
Smelt season setting and management
Fishers are reminded that a valid Washington fishing license is required for all participants ages 15 and older.
Cowlitz River recreational smelt tentative schedule
In 2025, WDFW implementing a tentative schedule approach for the Cowlitz River recreational smelt fishery to provide advance notice of potential fishing days, while balancing increasing fishing effort with sustainable management practices.
Key features of tentative schedule
Under this strategy, WDFW propose tentative recreational smelt dipping opportunities on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Feb. 5 through March 22. The fishing dates remain tentative and will only be confirmed after weekly smelt run size evaluations.
- Proposed fishing days: Recreational harvest opportunities will tentatively occur twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tentative hours of harvest are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on approved fishing days. It is unlikely that all tentative fishing dates will be approved.
- Run size confirmation: Final approval for fishing dates will depend on commercial fisheries verifying the run size is large enough to support a recreational harvest that remains within the management plan’s harvest quota. Refer to the Columbia River smelt test fishing webpage to review 2025 test fishing results.
- Weekly approvals: After assessing fishery data, WDFW will announce final approval for fishing dates and hours of harvest by 3 p.m. on the Friday preceding each week’s tentative dates. Refer to the current smelt season section of this webpage for weekly updates.
- License requirement: A valid Washington fishing license is required for all participants age 15 and older. Visit the fishing license types and fees webpage or regulations section for information. To register for a free WILD ID or purchase a fishing license, visit the WDFW licensing website.
Tentative schedule
Below is the completed tentative schedule for the 2025 Cowlitz River recreational smelt fishery.
| Tentative fishing dates (Wed. and Sat.) | Notice of approval (posted by 3 p.m.) |
|---|---|
| Jan. 31 | |
| Feb. 7 | |
| Feb. 14 | |
| Feb. 21 | |
| Feb. 28 | |
| March 12 and March 15 — APPROVED | March 7 |
| March 19 and March 22 — APPROVED | March 13 |
Important: It is unlikely that the fishery will be open for all tentative dates. There may also be scenarios where the run size appears large enough for sustainable harvest, though natural factors like water conditions, timing, and unpredictable migration patterns mean smelt are not present in large numbers during days open to recreational dip-netting.
For more information, refer to the frequently asked questions or regulations sections.
Regulations and license requirement
Smelt fishing is closed under permanent regulations.
Columbia River smelt regulations
A freshwater fishing license is required to fish for smelt. It is unlawful to fish for, keep, or possess eulachon, commonly known as “Columbia River smelt,” in any river unless specifically open under emergency regulation.
When the smelt fishery is open, each dip-netter is allowed to keep a daily limit of up to 10 pounds of smelt. For reference, 10 pounds of smelt fills about a quarter of a five-gallon bucket, though anglers are advised to bring their own scale to keep track of their catch.
Dip-netters 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.
Smelt may only be taken using a handheld dip net with a rigid handle. The bag frame may not exceed 36 inches across, and the mesh size must be no larger than 5/8-inch stretch. It is unlawful to harvest smelt from a vessel.
License requirement
A new law requiring Washington fishers to possess a recreational fishing license to fish for freshwater smelt went into effect June 6, 2024.
Current freshwater fishing licenses, including current temporary licenses, will be valid and existing license holders will not see any increased costs. Those 14 years and younger do not need a fishing license.
For more information about licenses, visit the fishing license types and fees webpage. Fishers should note that a WILD ID is required to purchase a fishing license. To register for a free WILD ID, visit the WDFW licensing website.
Why is a license required for Columbia River smelt?
The license requirement aims to improve compliance with fishing regulations. This requirement will also provide education on appropriate gear, seasons, and species-specific limits, particularly in areas where fish listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or state Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are present.
Columbia River smelt are listed as a threatened species under the ESA, and licensing requirements are needed to provide fisher education and allow for better regulation and monitoring to help achieve population recovery goals. Absent a fishing license requirement, limited recreational smelt fisheries have produced compliance issues that impact the state’s ability to conduct the fishery.
For more information, refer to the frequently asked questions section.
Fishery boundaries and access
Smelt fishing is closed under permanent regulations.
Cowlitz River smelt fishery boundaries
During approved fishing dates, a designated portion of the Cowlitz River will be open for recreational dip-netting from the shore only. When the fishery is open, dip-netting from the shore is permitted on the 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.
Map and access locations
Frequently asked questions
Why was the Cowlitz River smelt fishery being updated to a tentative structure?
WDFW implemented a tentative schedule to provide greater advance notice of potential fishing days, while balancing increasing effort with sustainable management practices. This approach also allowed for better coordination with local partners and communities, improved compliance with the fishing license requirement, and provided flexibility to adjust the schedule based on real-time data, such as commercial landings, or catch reports.
Will more tentative dates be announced?
No, the smelt season concluded after March 22. The Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery began releasing spring Chinook smolts the week of March 24, and additional smelt fisheries beyond the 2025 season schedule would have run the risk of potentially catching those smolts.
How are the tentative dates determined?
Tentative dates for Cowlitz River smelt dips follow a consistent Wednesday and Saturday schedule during the peak migration period, which typically occurs between early February and late March when smelt are most likely to be present in the river. Final approval for each week’s fishing opportunities depends on fishery data confirming a sufficient run size for recreational harvest. WDFW will announce approvals (or closures) of fishing dates by 3 p.m. each Friday for the following week, with updates posted in the current smelt season section and the emergency fishing rules.
If a fishing date is approved, what times will dip-netting be allowed?
The tentative times for each approved fishery will be 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. during approved fishing days. This ensures the fishery is open during daylight hours while minimizing impacts to the cities of Castle Rock, Kelso, and Longview. The fishery times for approved fishing dates are subject to change and will be confirmed by 3 p.m. each Friday for the following week, with updates posted in the current smelt season section and the emergency fishing rules.
Are the proposed dates guaranteed?
No, the proposed fishing dates are tentative and depend on a smelt run size large enough to support a recreational fishery. While tentative dates give fishers advance notice of potential dip days during the season, there is no guarantee that these fishing dates will be approved. WDFW may adjust or cancel dates if conditions do not support a sustainable fishery. Additionally, approved fisheries are not a guarantee that fish will be present on a given day.
How many smelt dips are likely to be approved?
Smelt were listed as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2010. To protect this sensitive population, fisheries are carefully managed and do not occur every year. In 2025, fishery managers expect some fishing days to be approved based on current run size estimates, though most tentative dates are unlikely to move forward.
How will I be notified if a tentative fishing date is approved?
Updates regarding fishery approvals will be posted by 3 p.m. each Friday in the current smelt season section webpage. This webpage will be the primary source for the latest information. Updates will also be communicated through social media, news releases, and local media. Fishery approvals (or emergency closures) will be posted on the emergency fishing rules. Fishers can also be notified of rule changes by signing up to receive emergency regulation updates on the WDFW mailing list.
Will the tentative schedule change during the season?
No, the tentative schedule will remain consistent, with all potential smelt dip opportunities planned for Wednesdays or Saturdays between Feb. 5 and Mar. 22. Fishery managers will also have the option to only open one day (Wednesday or Saturday). However, when harvest is available, the goal will be to open the fishery weekly on both Wednesday and Saturday. It is possible the fishery may close early if the harvest quota is met.
More information about the 2025 Cowlitz River recreational smelt fishery is available in the smelt season setting and management, current smelt season, and regulations sections.
How to dip for smelt
The Cowlitz River recreational smelt fishery is a beloved seasonal activity that attracts thousands of people of all ages. Watch the video below to learn how to dip for smelt.
About Columbia River smelt
The southern distinct population segment (DPS) of eulachon, commonly referred to as "Columbia River smelt," are small, silver fish known for their oily texture. In 2010, these fish were listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to a sharp decline in returns that began in the 1990s.
More detailed information is available in the Washington and Oregon Eulachon Management Plan, updated in Sept. 2023.
Smelt generally begin returning to the Columbia River in the early part of the year, and the peak run timing varies. Though hundreds of millions of eulachon can return to the Columbia River -- and then to tributaries such as the Cowlitz and Lewis rivers -- the run is not always able to support recreational fishing. Each year, fishery managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) monitor the smelt run to estimate the size of the return and whether a fishery can be opened.
There was no recreational fishing for Columbia River smelt in 2018 or 2019, though fishing was able to resume on the Cowlitz River from 2020-2022. Recreational fishing did not occur during 2023, but multiple openers were approved for 2024.
More information on federal recovery plans for eulachon is available on the NOAA website.