From the WDFW today:
Under this year's rules, the Cowlitz River will be open to recreational dip netting along the shore from 6 a.m. until noon Saturday, Feb. 7, and again Saturday, Feb. 14.
Each dip-netter may retain 10 pounds of smelt per day, with no more than one day's limit in possession. Ten pounds is about a quarter of a five-gallon bucket. No fishing license is required to dip for smelt in Washington state.
Oregon announced similar rules for the Sandy River for a smelt fishery in early to mid-March.
The two states also approved a commercial fishery for smelt that will run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays in February on the Columbia River downstream from Warrior Rock at the mouth of the Lewis River.