The smelt are running! Today, smelt dipping returns to the banks of the Cowlitz River for the first time in over a year.

Dip-netting will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The designated area is from the Cowlitz River Bridge over Tennant Way upstream to the Al Helenberg Memorial Boat Ramp, which is about a quarter of a mile from the PH-10 Bridge in Castle Rock.

A valid Washington freshwater, combination, or temporary license is now required for ages 15 and older to dip smelt. As a reminder, dip-netting is only allowed from the bank, not from a boat. The daily limit for smelt is 10 pounds, which fills about a quarter of a 5-gallon bucket. Each dipper is required to have their own bucket, clearly labeled with their name.

If you miss out on dipping today, don’t worry; you’ll have another opportunity on Saturday.