Action: Opens one day of Eulachon smelt retention in the lower Cowlitz River.
Rules: Daily limit is 10 pounds only. Harvesters may use handheld dipnets only. It is unlawful to harvest smelt from a vessel.
Effective date: 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2026, only.
Species affected: Eulachon smelt.
Location: Cowlitz River, from Highway 432 Bridge to the Al Helenberg Memorial Boat Ramp (located approximately 1,300 feet upstream of the Hwy. 411/A Street Bridge in Castle Rock.
Reason for action: Landings from the mainstem Columbia River commercial fishery indicate the Eulachon smelt run size is large enough to approve one day of recreational harvest, per guidance from the 2023 Washington and Oregon Eulachon Management Plan. The recreational fishery also serves as an important opportunity to collect additional biological data.
Additional information:
Natural factors such as water temperatures, river flows, and unpredictable migration patterns can affect smelt availability on days open for dip-netting. WDFW will post general observations on water conditions and smelt presence on the Cowlitz River smelt fishing webpage before the opener.
A valid Washington fishing license is required to dip-net for smelt. A Washington combination or freshwater license, or a temporary license, is valid. Non-residents must also possess a valid Washington fishing license. Children 15 and under do not need a fishing license. Refer to the fishing license types and fees webpage for more information.
Each harvester must be actively participating, and all smelt caught must be retained up to the daily limit. In the field, it is unlawful for each person harvesting smelt to fail to use a separate container to hold their catch and the container must be in the harvester’s presence or identified with the harvester’s name (per WAC 220-315-040). Violation of this subsection is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160.
Hand dip net gear may not exceed 36 inches across the bag frame with a maximum mesh size of 5/8 inch stretch mesh size and must have a rigid handle.
Fishery managers will continue to monitor the run size and recreational harvest to determine if future tentative dates can be approved. The season closes after March 21.
For more details including a map showing fishing boundaries and popular access areas, visit the Cowlitz River smelt fishing webpage.
Fishery managers encourage anglers to sign up for Fishing Rule Change email notifications and to check for emergency rules on the WDFW website before fishing. Refer to the 2025–2026 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for current regulations. Download the Fish Washington® mobile app to stay up to date on the go.
Information contact: Southwest Region, 360-696-6211