No representative tidal-current prediction station is configured for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Ilwaco / Cape Disappointment Marine Area 1 fishery
WDFW Marine Area 1 Ilwaco: west of the Buoy 10 line at the Columbia mouth, north to Leadbetter Point. Honest catalog targets are lingcod and redtail surfperch from the North Jetty and A Jetty, plus Chinook when current MA1 ocean-salmon tables are open. Rockfish, albacore, and Pacific halibut are described in text only. This is not astoria-columbia-river-entrance (Buoy 10 inside the line).
Fishery type
Pnw bar entrance jetty
Fishing modes
Shore
Inshore boat
Habitat and structure
Columbia River North Jetty and A Jetty at Cape Disappointment State Park · Port of Ilwaco boat access · Port of Chinook secondary launch
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 21, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Jetty lingcod and seaperch are described especially in spring and early summer subject to current MA1 bottomfish rules. Ocean Chinook follows current WDFW ocean-salmon tables. Do not freeze 2026 opening dates.
This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Lingcod
Primary
Ophiodon elongatus
Typical seasonal window: DECEMBER — MARCH
May also be present outside this peak window.
WDFW: North Jetty and A Jetty lingcod, rockfish, and seaperch especially spring and early summer. Rockfish is not a selector ID.
Redtail surfperch
Secondary
Amphistichus rhodoterus
Typical seasonal opportunity: SPRING — EARLY SUMMER
May also be present outside this peak window.
Chinook salmon
SeasonalRegulations vary annually
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER — EARLY FALL
WDFW MA1 salmon in summer/fall. Confirm current ocean-salmon notices. Distinct from Oregon Buoy 10 inside the line.
Typical Seasonal Targets
Lingcod — DECEMBER — MARCH
Redtail surfperch — SPRING — EARLY SUMMER
Chinook salmon — SUMMER — EARLY FALL
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
Ilwaco is the primary access point. Port of Chinook; Cape Disappointment State Park North Jetty and A Jetty. Catalog coordinates are NOAA 9440574. Distinct from astoria-columbia-river-entrance.
Primary hazards
Watch surge, boat traffic, and slippery rock. Avoid peak outgoing tides when considering a bar crossing.
Fishery considerations
There is no live CO-OPS water-level identity at this station. Do not use Astoria 9439040 as DIRECT Ilwaco tide.
Wind and swell can make the Columbia bar and Cape Disappointment jetties unsafe even when predicted tides look usable.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Coastal conditions can vary over short distances. Predictions and remote observations are planning information, not guarantees of access or safety.
Public Washington coastal catalog identity. Customer Current Coastal Rating is Calibration in progress under the accepted FAST-CAL / PNW FAST-B program. PACIFIC_NORTHWEST_V1 is not accepted. Coastal Estimated is unauthorized. The PNW public-beta rating flag remains off.
Catalog coordinates are that NOAA prediction station.
