Columbia/Cowlitz Smelt Updates
January 17, 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:

Commercial landings in the Columbia River picked up this week. There appears to be a push of fish approaching the Cowlitz River, with favorable conditions for smelt movement projected through the weekend. Saturday could be a good day for sport dippers to prospect for fish.

The Cowlitz River at Castle Rock is running at 15,300 CFS. The temperature of the lower Columbia River and the Cowlitz River is 42º. Smelt prefer water of at least 40º or warmer.

Catches:

Columbia River:

Commercial:

• 700 lbs landed Monday, January 14th from around Puget Island.
• 1,201 lbs cumulative landings since late-December. Preliminary numbers.

Cowlitz River:

Sport:

• WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, January 16th, produced no catch. Areas sampled were Gearhart, Carnival Market, and Lexington.
• There was a reliable report of some successful dipping last Saturday at the Gearhart ramp just upstream from the mouth.

Commercial:

• No commercial landings reported for January 13th and 16th.
• 0 lbs cumulative since 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.