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.