Be prepared for some heavy traffic along the Cowlitz River later this week; the smelt are going to be running.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved two smelt dip-netting opportunities this week. Dip-netting will be allowed on Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. The Department of Fish and Wildlife stated that below-average water temperatures are the reason for the delayed run this year.

Dip-netting is only allowed from the shore, not from a boat. The designated area extends 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 current Washington fishing license is now required to dip for smelt. The daily limit for smelt is 10 pounds, which fills about a quarter of a 5-gallon bucket. Each person must have their own container to hold the fish, and it must be marked with their name.