Idaho Fish Report

March 25, 2025

SALEM, Ore. – Recreational harvest of eulachon smelt on the Sandy River will open Thursday, March 27 from noon to 7 p.m. 

The open area will be from the mouth of the Sandy River upstream to the Stark Street Bridge.  

To participate in this fishery: 

• Harvest is allowed with dipnet only and smelt may only be caught from the bank.  

• Harvest limit is 10 pounds per dipper.  

• Each dipper must have their own container. 

• Each dipper 12 years old and older must have a valid 2025 Oregon angling license. Those 11 years and younger do not need a license but must have their own container and be able to dip smelt for themselves.  

The 10-pound limit is roughly a quarter of a five-gallon bucket or a full five-quart bucket. Anglers should bring scales to ensure they do not exceed the legal limit. 

"The eulachon smelt will not be present for long in the Sandy,” said Tucker Jones, Columbia River Program Manager. “We hope this afternoon fishery provides a fun spring break opportunity to dip net these fish.”  

Public access points along the open area: 

• Lewis and Clark Park 

• Glenn Otto Park 

• Along the dike off Perimeter Way near Troutdale Airport.  

• Pullouts along the Historic Highway.  

While Columbia River eulachon smelt were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2010, abundance increased to a level that allows limited, conservative harvest. 

Smelt return annually to the Columbia River but only return to the Sandy River periodically. The eulachon returned in numbers high enough that ODFW opened a limited two-day fishery in 2015 and one-day fishery in 2023 in the Sandy River. 

Eulachon smelt spend most of their life in the ocean, migrating up rivers, including the Columbia and some of its tributaries, to spawn. Most adults die shortly after spawning, so it is not uncommon to see large numbers of dead smelt along the river. It is illegal to pick up dead smelt for bait.  

To stay updated when smelt fishing is going to be available on the Sandy River for future runs and opportunities, subscribe to ODFW news releases via email. That is the first place we make these types of announcements. There is a link at the top of this page to join the email list.