Similar substrate characteristics were found on Washington's coastal beaches. This suggests that the substrate characteristics are an important factor in determining surf smelt spawning locations. In addition to substrate characteristics, surf smelt require a specific tidal elevation for successful spawning. Surf smelt spawn around the highest tide, most frequently in the afternoon or early evening. The specific nature of surf smelt spawning ground and limited extent of available spawning habitat in Puget Sound has made the species quite vulnerable to shoreline development and construction activities.
Some spawning grounds are currently mere remnants of their original extent.
Surf smelt spawning grounds have been mapped, and spawning seasons determined in many areas, leading to the formation of regulations for inclusion in the Washington Administrative Code Hydrolic Code Rules. These regulations govern the extent to which bulkheads or fills can intrude seaward of the high tide line on known surf smelt spawning beaches and the time of year during which admissible work can be conducted. Inability to comply in a project design will result in denial of a construction permit. Failure to comply in the process of construction can result in fines and removal of the offending project. Some attempts to restore or enhance surf smelt beaches have been attempted.