Two anadromous smelt found in Washington waters. In addition to the Columbia river smelt (Eulachon) we have the longfin smelt.

The longfin smelt has been documented in a number of rivers including Gray harbor and Willapa bay rivers and the Skagit. There is also a landlocked population found in Lake Washington. The longfin smelt tends to spwan later in the year then the Columbia river smelt. In both species most of the spawners die post spawn.

From the photo the fish looks more like a Columbia river smelt than a longfin. With both species there can be tremendous variation in abundances from year to year.

Curt