Rainbow Smelt – Mara Koenig/USFWS
Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has announced the opening of recreational harvest for eulachon smelt on the Sandy River, scheduled for Thursday, March 27, from noon to 7 p.m. The fishery will take place from the mouth of the Sandy River upstream to the Stark Street Bridge.
Participation Details:
- Fishing Method: Dipnet only, with smelt to be caught exclusively from the bank.
- Harvest Limit: 10 pounds per dipper, roughly a quarter of a five-gallon bucket or a full five-quart bucket. Anglers are advised to bring scales to ensure they do not exceed the legal limit.
- Age Requirements: Dippers aged 12 years and older must possess a valid 2025 Oregon angling license. Those 11 years and younger are not required to have a license but must have their own container and be capable of dipping smelt independently.
Public Access Points:
- Lewis and Clark Park
- Glenn Otto Park
- Dike area off Perimeter Way near Troutdale Airport
- Pullouts along the Historic Highway
Tucker Jones, Columbia River Program Manager at ODFW, stated, “The eulachon smelt will not be present for long in the Sandy. We hope this afternoon fishery provides a fun spring break opportunity for families to dip net these fish.”
Background:
Although Columbia River eulachon smelt were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2010, their abundance has increased to levels that allow for a limited, controlled harvest. Eulachon smelt return to the Columbia River annually, but they spawn in the Sandy River only periodically. Due to increased numbers, ODFW opened a limited two-day fishery in 2015 and a one-day Sandy River Smelt Dipnetting fishery in 2023.
These smelt spend the majority of their life in the ocean, migrating upstream to spawn. Many adults die shortly after spawning, which is why it is not unusual to see large numbers of dead smelt along the river. It is important to note that picking up dead smelt for bait is illegal.
To stay updated on future Sandy River Smelt Dipnetting opportunities on the Sandy River, ODFW encourages anglers to subscribe to news releases via email, where all updates on these types of fisheries will be posted first.
For more details, visit ODFW’s website.
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