Run Smelt Run! Season opens on Sandy River for one day, March 11

The Dalles , Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that a recreational smelt fishery on the Sandy River near Troutdale will open from noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, for one day only.

According to ODFW, the fishery allows the harvest of eulachon smelt using dip nets from the riverbank only. The open area extends from the mouth of the Sandy River upstream to the Stark Street Bridge.

The harvest limit is 10 pounds per person. Each participant must dip smelt for themselves using their own container and must carry a valid 2026 Oregon angling license.

ODFW noted that 10 pounds of smelt is roughly equal to about one-quarter of a five-gallon bucket, though the department recommends bringing a scale to avoid exceeding the legal limit. Officials also suggest participants bring waders and ice if they plan to keep fish for consumption, and strongly recommend life jackets for children.

Public access points along the open section of the river include Lewis and Clark Park, Glenn Otto Park, areas along the dike off Perimeter Way near Troutdale Airport, and pullouts along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

ODFW is also asking for public cooperation during the fishery. The department urged participants to respect local businesses and private property by parking only in designated public areas, obeying posted signs, and avoiding driveways, private lots and restricted access areas.

The agency said enforcement officers from ODFW and the Oregon State Police have observed violations of the 10-pound limit in previous years. Eulachon smelt are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, and compliance with regulations is considered critical to sustaining the population.

“This is the first time in nearly 50 years that smelt have been in the Sandy River four years in a row. It’s quite an unusual thing to witness,” said Tucker Jones. “That said, the eulachon smelt have already been in the Sandy for a few days now. This return doesn’t appear to be as big as last year’s return, and we’re already seeing some post-spawn die-offs.”

The best way to clean smelt is by pulling the head and gills to remove the entrails in one motion, followed by a cold water rinse, while the best cooking method is pan-frying or deep-frying at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until crispy. Dredge them in flour, cornstarch, and spices for a crunchy texture, eating the whole fish, including bones.

Eulachon smelt spend most of their lives in the ocean before migrating into rivers, including the Columbia and some tributaries, to spawn. The fish typically grow to six to nine inches long and live three to five years. Most adults die shortly after spawning, which is why large numbers of dead smelt are sometimes seen along the riverbanks.

Columbia River eulachon were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2010. According to ODFW, population levels have increased enough in recent years to allow limited, carefully managed recreational harvest. The fish return annually to the Columbia River but only periodically enter the Sandy River in numbers large enough to support a fishery.