Smelt migration

[greenbuttskunk]

yep, a thermocline or clutter, not likely smelt. Especially in the willie like that.

[gottafish]

Went to the sandy just dinkin around with the net I got 12 smelt not many for 2 hours but there are some showing.

[Sturgeon 42]

The guy next to me fishing below st. Johns bridge said he was marking tons of fish at 40 ft. on his finder do you think they could be SMELT coming up into the warmer water, maybe thats why the sturgeon are there. Any thoughts, has anyone caught any sturgeon with fresh smelt in their mouths in the Willamette..... :grin: :grin: :grin:

[Rakkasan]

I have not heard anything and I converse with a lot of fisherman. We should be getting close. I may have to call the womans dad out in Rainer who can see the mouth of the Cowlitz from his house. He will give me a heads up when the gulls start flocking

[Pickles]

His finder was probably showing a thermocline.

[Sore Back]

We just have to give it a couple of weeks. Last year we dipped two limits in the Cowletz on the 5th of February. Based on the water temp, the run could slide in or out by a couple of weeks or more.

We just have to keep watching as they will come.

[Cowlitz77]

I live on the Cowlitz and have to drive the guantlet of of dippers. No birds on the river yet and I watched a couple of dippers try there luck yesterday with no smelt to show for it. I will sound the alarm when those little silver gator candys shows up.

[LuckySteelhead]

BTW, The sandy was excellent last year in the 20th of febuary for smelt, about 2 weeks after the cowlitz run, the sandy had much bigger robust smelt, some 10" and very stout. Its easier and closer, you don't have to wade out as far and you don't need your net extention.

[LuckySteelhead]

oh yah, and the limit in OR is much higher then WA, 10 lb vs 25

[WaterDog]

Limit in WA is 20# this year.

[Jeremy]

Yep 2/3 of a bucket in WA this year.

Columbia River smelt season opens Jan. 1, 2004

Action: Columbia River and tributary smelt season opens January 1, 2004.

Effective date: January 1, 2004 through March 31, 2004.
Mainstem Columbia is open 7 days per week and 24 hours per day.
Washington tributaries are open 7 days per week during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Species affected: Columbia River smelt (eulachon)

Location: The Columbia River and tributaries below Bonneville Dam.

Reason for action: Abundance and productivity indices support a Level 3 fishery, as described in the "Washington and Oregon Eulachon Management Plan" for the Columbia River.

Other information: No license is required. Daily limit is 20 pounds per person (about 2/3 of a 5-gallon bucket). Dip net gear only. Please remember to respect private property.

Information contact: Call the WDFW Region 5 office, at (360) 696-6211. Press *1010 for regulations and current fishing reports

[Okie]

I have a real good depth finder and it will not show small fish. So Smelt don't show up on the depth finder. After reading about the depth finder I find that they are programed to not record small fish.

[Sturgeon 42]

thanks for watching cowlitzz77