Columbia/Cowlitz Smelt Updates
January 3, 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 13,000 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 in the vicinity of the Cowlitz to indicate smelt presence.

Catches:

Columbia River:

Commercial:

• A small number of smelt were reported caught both Monday and today near Skamokawa (35 miles downstream of the Cowlitz) and also during the last week of December.
• 126 lbs Preliminary estimate. Cumulative since late-December.

Cowlitz River:

Sport:

• Staff did not observe any sign of smelt in the Cowlitz on Wednesday, January 2nd. WDFW will begin test dipping next week (tentatively scheduled for January 9th).

Commercial:

• No commercial landings reported for 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.