YAKAMA NATION

FISHERIES RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Smelt Update

Sport Seasons/Regulations:

Tributaries - Sport dipping is only allowed on the Cowlitz River , from 6 AM to 10 PM Saturdays through March 31^st. The daily limit is 10 lbs per person per day. This is equivalent 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 fishing periods on Mondays and Thursdays.

Cowlitz River : 6-hour fishing periods on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Fishing Rule updates are also available by calling (360) 696-6211, then press *1010

Here are some web sites that provide daily river data:

Cowlitz River water flow and levels: USGS Web site:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no=14243000&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065

Columbia River estuary water temperature: CORIE Web site:

http://www.ccalmr.ogi.edu/CORIE/network/tnslh/

Wednesday – March 19, 2008

Conditions:

There were three individual smelt caught near Skamokawa during the spring chinook test fishery this past week. This is not significant, and it is not an indication that smelt will be present in the Cowlitz River during the last two weekends of March.

The Cowlitz River flow is slightly above average, at 10,600 CFS at Castle Rock. The water temperature in both the lower Columbia and Cowlitz rivers have been above 40ºF for the past few weeks.

Catches:

Columbia River :

Commercial:

No reported landings for Thursday, March 13^th, or Monday, March 17^th.

11,041 lbs cumulative landings since late-December.

Cowlitz River :

Sport:

Sport dipping was unproductive Saturday, March 15^th.

Commercial:

No reported landings for Wednesday, March 12^thor Sunday, March 16^th.

5,900 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd.

Final Report for 2008:

Historically, little or no harvest of smelt has occurred in the last two weeks of March, especially during poor run years. Therefore, this will be our last report for the 2008 season. WDFW staff will continue for another month with their larval/egg surveys in the mainstem Columbia River and tributaries (monitoring the production from the 2008 run). Note: NOAA Fisheries has found the Cowlitz Tribes petition to list the eulachon smelt as warranting further investigation. This does not effect the 2008 season. For more information on the possible ESA listing, go to: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/fr/fr73-13185.pdf

Thursday – February 28, 2008

Conditions:

On Wednesday, February 27^th, WDFW staff test dipped at various sites between Gearhart Park and Lexington . No adult smelt were encountered. No birds or seals were present either. A spurt of fish, two to three weeks ago, has spawned, based on larvae recovered Tuesday, February 26^th.

The 8,180 CFS flow at Castle Rock is about 2,000 CFS below normal for this time of year. The Cowlitz River is running clear. The water temperature in the Cowlitz River is 44.5ºF. Water temperature in the lower Columbia River is 44.9ºF and rising.

While environmental conditions are favorable, and eulachon smelt can continue to enter the Columbia River through the next month, we are past the typical peak of the run. It will become increasingly more difficult to encounter smelt. Given the poor pre-season forecast, the prospects for successful smelt dipping this coming Saturday is poor.

Sport fishers are reminded that it is currently illegal to harvest smelt from Columbia River tributaries other than the Cowlitz River . The run was expected to be poor, and the decision was made to operate fisheries at Level One of the Smelt Management Plan. Under that management level, smelt in other tributaries, such as the Grays, Elochoman, Lewis or Kalama rivers should be left alone, and allowed to spawn.

Catches:

Columbia River :

Commercial:

No reported landings for Thursday, February 21^st, or Monday, February 25^th.

10,308 lbs cumulative landings since late-December (preliminary numbers).

Cowlitz River :

Sport:

Sport dipping was unproductive last Saturday, February 23^rd.

Commercial:

No reported landings for Sunday, February 24^thor Wednesday, February 27^th.

5,900 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd (revised number).

Wednesday – February 13, 2008

Conditions:

Warming water conditions have the smelt moving back upstream in the Columbia River . WDFW survey crews observed about 30-35 harbor seals in the Columbia River near Oak Point, situated about 13 miles downstream from the mouth of the Cowlitz River, on Tuesday, February 12^th.

The flow at Castle Rock is 15,500 CFS (greater than the 80-year mean of 12,500 CFS for February 13^th). The water temperature in the lower Columbia River has increased to 43ºF (Tenasilahe Is.) and the Cowlitz River is back to 43ºF. Smelt prefer water of at least 40ºF or warmer. Cowlitz River is slightly turbid as of noon February 13^th.

Catches:

Columbia River :

Commercial:

3,411 lbs landed Monday, February 11^th(greater than the cumulative number to date). The catch was a mixture of sizes and sex, all very green (unspawned).

6,255 lbs cumulative landings since late-December (preliminary numbers).

Cowlitz River :

Sport:

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, February 13^th, produced 15 smelt in 12 dips (up to 3 fish per dip) at Gerhart Landing. There was a mix of sizes. No smelt were caught at other locations further upstream.

Commercial:

No commercial landings reported for Sunday, February 12^th.

0 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd.

Note: A mid-season check to review run status and to consider any necessary modifications to seasons is scheduled for the February 15^th Compact.

Thursday – February 7, 2008

Conditions:

Warming water conditions have the smelt moving back upstream in the Columbia River . WDFW survey crews observed about 40 harbor seals in the Columbia River near Oak Point, situated about 13 miles downstream from the mouth of the Cowlitz River .

The flow at Castle Rock is 18,000 CFS. The water temperature in the lower Columbia River has increased to 40ºF and the Cowlitz River is back to 41ºF. Smelt prefer water of at least 40ºF or warmer.

Catches:

Columbia River :

Commercial:

396 lbs landed Monday, February 4^th.

2,467 lbs cumulative landings since late-December (preliminary numbers).

Cowlitz River :

Sport:

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, February 6^th, produced no catch.

Commercial:

No commercial landings reported for February 3^rd.

0 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd.

Note: A mid-season check to review run status and to consider any necessary modifications to seasons is scheduled for the February 15^th Compact.

Sport Seasons/Regulations:

Tributaries - Sport dipping is only allowed on the Cowlitz River , from 6 AM to 10 PM Saturdays through March 31^st. The daily limit is 10 lbs per person per day. This is equivalent 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 fishing periods on Mondays and Thursdays.

Cowlitz River : 6-hour fishing periods on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Fishing Rule updates are also available by calling (360) 696-6211, then press *1010

Here are some web sites that provide daily river data:

Cowlitz River water flow and levels: USGS Web site:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no=14243000&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065

Columbia River estuary water temperature: CORIE Web site:

http://www.ccalmr.ogi.edu/CORIE/network/woody/

Thursday – January 31, 2008

Conditions:

The smelt run appears to have backed down to the estuary in response to the cold river temperatures. No commercial landings were reported this week. WDFW survey crews observed just a couple of seals in the Columbia River near Mill Creek and none in the Cowlitz River .

The flow at Castle Rock is at 14,400 CFS. Water temperatures this past week remained colder than the minimum 40ºF that smelt prefer, with the Cowlitz River at 39ºF and the Columbia River at 38ºF.

Catches:

Columbia River :

Commercial:

0 lbs landed Thursday, January 24^th and Monday, January 28^th.

2,071 lbs cumulative landings since late-December (preliminary numbers).

Cowlitz River :

Sport:

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, January 30^th, produced no catch.

Commercial:

No commercial landings reported for January 27^th and 30^th.

0 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd.

Sport Seasons/Regulations:

Tributaries - Sport dipping is only allowed on the Cowlitz River , from 6 AM to 10 PM Saturdays through March 31^st. The daily limit is 10 lbs per person per day. This is equivalent 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 fishing periods on Mondays and Thursdays.

Cowlitz River : 6-hour fishing periods on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Fishing Rule updates are also available by calling (360) 696-6211, then press *1010

Here are some web sites that provide daily river data:

Cowlitz River water flow and levels: USGS Web site:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no=14243000&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065

Columbia River estuary water temperature: CORIE Web site:

http://www.ccalmr.ogi.edu/CORIE/network/woody/

Thursday – January 24, 2008

Conditions:

Commercial landings in the Columbia River have dropped significantly from last week. There were no reports of smelt being dipped by sport fishers last weekend. Wednesday, January 23^rd, WDFW survey crews only observed a couple of seals in the Columbia River down by County Line Park , none in the Cowlitz River . Only a few birds were seen.

The flow at Castle Rock is at 12,700 CFS. The water temperature has dropped to 39ºF in the Cowlitz River and 38ºF in the Columbia River . Smelt prefer water of at least 40ºF or warmer.

Sport fishing prospects for this coming weekend don’t look promising.

Catches:

Columbia River :

Commercial:

44 lbs landed Monday, January 21^st from around Puget Island (about a 20^th of the daily landings last week).

2,003 lbs cumulative landings since late-December. Preliminary numbers.

Cowlitz River :

Sport:

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, January 23^rd, produced no catch. Areas sampled were Gearhart, Kelso Bridge , Carnival Market, and Lexington . There were no reliable reports of smelt being caught on Saturday, January 19^th.

Commercial:

No commercial landings reported for January 20^th and 24^th.

0 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd.

Sport Seasons/Regulations:

Tributaries - Sport dipping is only allowed on the Cowlitz River , from 6 AM to 10 PM Saturdays through March 31^st. The daily limit is 10 lbs per person per day. This is equivalent 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 fishing periods on Mondays and Thursdays.

Cowlitz River : 6-hour fishing periods on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Fishing Rule updates are also available by calling (360) 696-6211, then press *1010

Here are some web sites that provide daily river data:

Cowlitz River water flow and levels: USGS Web site:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no=14243000&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065

Columbia River estuary water temperature: CORIE Web site:

http://www.ccalmr.ogi.edu/CORIE/network/woody/

Jan 22, 2008

The outlook is for poor fishing for a while now that the river has dropped below 40 degrees with this cold snap.

1) YN members may dip for smelt in SW WA rivers for subsistence.
2) Must carry tribal enrollment card.
3) No bag or time limits.
4) Courtesy call: Sgt. Holden, 360/520-1564; or Brad James, 360/906-6716.
5) WDFW Hotline: 360/696-6211 *1010.

YAKAMA NATION

FISHERIES RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Smelt Update

Smelt Update

Wednesday – March 19, 2008

Conditions:

There were three individual smelt caught near Skamokawa during the spring chinook test fishery this past week. This is not significant, and it is not an indication that smelt will be present in the Cowlitz River during the last two weekends of March.

The Cowlitz River flow is slightly above average, at 10,600 CFS at Castle Rock. The water temperature in both the lower Columbia and Cowlitz rivers have been above 40ºF for the past few weeks.

Thursday – February 28, 2008

Conditions:

On Wednesday, February 27th, WDFW staff test dipped at various sites between Gearhart Park and Lexington . No adult smelt were encountered. No birds or seals were present either. A spurt of fish, two to three weeks ago, has spawned, based on larvae recovered Tuesday, February 26th.

The 8,180 CFS flow at Castle Rock is about 2,000 CFS below normal for this time of year. The Cowlitz River is running clear. The water temperature in the Cowlitz River is 44.5ºF. Water temperature in the lower Columbia River is 44.9ºF and rising.

Catches:

Columbia River :

Commercial:

No reported landings for Thursday, February 21st, or Monday, February 25th.

10,308 lbs cumulative landings since late-December (preliminary numbers).

Cowlitz River :

Sport:

Sport dipping was unproductive last Saturday, February 23rd.

Commercial:

No reported landings for Sunday, February 24th or Wednesday, February 27th.

5,900 lbs cumulative since January 2nd (revised number).

Wednesday – February 13, 2008

Conditions:

Warming water conditions have the smelt moving back upstream in the Columbia River . WDFW survey crews observed about 30-35 harbor seals in the Columbia River near Oak Point, situated about 13 miles downstream from the mouth of the Cowlitz River, on Tuesday, February 12th.

Catches:

Columbia River :

Commercial:

3,411 lbs landed Monday, February 11th (greater than the cumulative number to date). The catch was a mixture of sizes and sex, all very green (unspawned).

6,255 lbs cumulative landings since late-December (preliminary numbers).

Cowlitz River :

Sport:

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, February 13th, produced 15 smelt in 12 dips (up to 3 fish per dip) at Gerhart Landing. There was a mix of sizes. No smelt were caught at other locations further upstream.

Commercial:

No commercial landings reported for Sunday, February 12th.

0 lbs cumulative since January 2nd.

Note: A mid-season check to review run status and to consider any necessary modifications to seasons is scheduled for the February 15th Compact.

Thursday – February 7, 2008

Conditions:

Warming water conditions have the smelt moving back upstream in the Columbia River . WDFW survey crews observed about 40 harbor seals in the Columbia River near Oak Point, situated about 13 miles downstream from the mouth of the Cowlitz River .

The flow at Castle Rock is 18,000 CFS. The water temperature in the lower Columbia River has increased to 40ºF and the Cowlitz River is back to 41ºF. Smelt prefer water of at least 40ºF or warmer.

Catches:

Columbia River :

Commercial:

396 lbs landed Monday, February 4th .

2,467 lbs cumulative landings since late-December (preliminary numbers).

Cowlitz River :

Sport:

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, February 6th, produced no catch.

Commercial:

No commercial landings reported for February 3rd.

0 lbs cumulative since January 2nd.

Note: A mid-season check to review run status and to consider any necessary modifications to seasons is scheduled for the February 15th Compact.

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 equivalent 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 fishing periods on Mondays and Thursdays.

Cowlitz River : 6-hour fishing periods on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Fishing Rule updates are also available by calling (360) 696-6211, then press *1010

Here are some web sites that provide daily river data:

Cowlitz River water flow and levels: USGS Web site:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no=14243000&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065

Columbia River estuary water temperature: CORIE Web site:

http://www.ccalmr.ogi.edu/CORIE/network/woody/

Thursday – January 31, 2008

Conditions:

The smelt run appears to have backed down to the estuary in response to the cold river temperatures. No commercial landings were reported this week. WDFW survey crews observed just a couple of seals in the Columbia River near Mill Creek and none in the Cowlitz River .

The flow at Castle Rock is at 14,400 CFS. Water temperatures this past week remained colder than the minimum 40ºF that smelt prefer, with the Cowlitz River at 39ºF and the Columbia River at 38ºF.

Catches:

Columbia River :

Commercial:

0 lbs landed Thursday, January 24th and Monday, January 28th.

2,071 lbs cumulative landings since late-December (preliminary numbers).

Cowlitz River :

Sport:

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, January 30th, produced no catch.

Commercial:

No commercial landings reported for January 27th and 30th.

On Wednesday, February 27^th, WDFW staff test dipped at various sites between Gearhart Park and Lexington . No adult smelt were encountered. No birds or seals were present either. A spurt of fish, two to three weeks ago, has spawned, based on larvae recovered Tuesday, February 26^th.

No reported landings for Thursday, February 21^st, or Monday, February 25^th.

Sport dipping was unproductive last Saturday, February 23^rd.

No reported landings for Sunday, February 24^thor Wednesday, February 27^th.

5,900 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd (revised number).

Warming water conditions have the smelt moving back upstream in the Columbia River . WDFW survey crews observed about 30-35 harbor seals in the Columbia River near Oak Point, situated about 13 miles downstream from the mouth of the Cowlitz River, on Tuesday, February 12^th.

3,411 lbs landed Monday, February 11^th(greater than the cumulative number to date). The catch was a mixture of sizes and sex, all very green (unspawned).

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, February 13^th, produced 15 smelt in 12 dips (up to 3 fish per dip) at Gerhart Landing. There was a mix of sizes. No smelt were caught at other locations further upstream.

No commercial landings reported for Sunday, February 12^th.

0 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd.

Note: A mid-season check to review run status and to consider any necessary modifications to seasons is scheduled for the February 15^th Compact.

396 lbs landed Monday, February 4^th.

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, February 6^th, produced no catch.

No commercial landings reported for February 3^rd.

0 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd.

Note: A mid-season check to review run status and to consider any necessary modifications to seasons is scheduled for the February 15^th Compact.

Tributaries - Sport dipping is only allowed on the Cowlitz River , from 6 AM to 10 PM Saturdays through March 31^st. The daily limit is 10 lbs per person per day. This is equivalent to ¼ of a 5-gallon bucket.

0 lbs landed Thursday, January 24^th and Monday, January 28^th.

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, January 30^th, produced no catch.

No commercial landings reported for January 27^th and 30^th.

0 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd.

Tributaries - Sport dipping is only allowed on the Cowlitz River , from 6 AM to 10 PM Saturdays through March 31^st. The daily limit is 10 lbs per person per day. This is equivalent to ¼ of a 5-gallon bucket.

44 lbs landed Monday, January 21^st from around Puget Island (about a 20^th of the daily landings last week).

WDFW test dipping on Wednesday, January 23^rd, produced no catch. Areas sampled were Gearhart, Kelso Bridge , Carnival Market, and Lexington . There were no reliable reports of smelt being caught on Saturday, January 19^th.

No commercial landings reported for January 20^th and 24^th.

0 lbs cumulative since January 2^nd.

Tributaries - Sport dipping is only allowed on the Cowlitz River , from 6 AM to 10 PM Saturdays through March 31^st. The daily limit is 10 lbs per person per day. This is equivalent to ¼ of a 5-gallon bucket.