Action: Opens one day of eulachon smelt retention in the lower Cowlitz River.
Effective date: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Species affected: Eulachon smelt.
Location: Cowlitz River, 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.
Rules: Daily limit is 10 pounds only. Harvesters may use handheld dipnets only. It is unlawful to harvest smelt from a vessel. A recreational fishing license is required.
Reason for action: Mainstem Columbia River commercial fishery landings indicate the smelt run size is large enough to support additional recreational harvest, per guidance outlined in the Washington and Oregon Eulachon Management Plan. The recreational fishery also serves as an important opportunity to collect additional biological data.
Additional information: Preliminary estimate from the Wednesday, Feb. 18 opener indicates about 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. WDFW provides general observations of water conditions and smelt presence on the Cowlitz River smelt fishing webpage when available.
A valid Washington fishing license is required. An appropriate and valid Washington fishing license is required for residents and non-residents alike; this may be either the appropriate temporary license, an annual combination, or an annual freshwater 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 one quarter of a five-gallon bucket. Fishers must keep all smelt caught up to their daily limit. Each harvester must be actively participating and is required to use a separate container.
Smelt may only be taken using a handheld dip net with a rigid handle. The bag frame may not exceed 36 inches across (at its widest point), and the mesh size must be no larger than 5/8-inch stretch. It is unlawful to harvest smelt from a vessel.
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 information, 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.