Ilwaco / Cape Disappointment is a Washington coast fishery at the north side of the Columbia River entrance, combining harbor water, jetties, beaches, and powerful estuary-to-ocean exchange. Lingcod, chinook salmon, and redtail surfperch are the principal supported targets.
Current Coastal Rating
Fair · 56
Beta
Conditions are fair, but confidence is reduced because some coastal inputs are partial or prediction-based.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Should I Go?
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Consider
Trip conditions may be workable, but important cautions or data limitations remain.
High confidence in the evaluated inputs — observational coverage is partial. — Required data sources were available and the key inputs were current.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
This coastal rating is in public beta.
Missing waves are not calm. Forecast is not an observation. Prediction is not an observation.
Because this rating is in public beta, recommendations are capped at Consider when evidence is limited.
Service Status
Degraded
Coastal conditions are partial, stale, or predictions-only.
Recommended window
Tuesday · 10:00 AM–1:00 PM PDT
Window score
81
Max wind
4 mph
Max gust
15 mph
Daylight
100% of window
Tide state
falling
Why
Strong daylight coverage supports the evaluated window.
Tidal-current predictions are not available 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. Anglers target lingcod and redtail surfperch from the North Jetty and A Jetty, plus Chinook when current MA1 ocean-salmon tables are open.
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. Opening dates change and are not fixed here.
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 begins in December
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 are part of this fishery.
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.
How to Fish Ilwaco / Cape Disappointment
No profile-based seasonal technique guidance is listed for October.
Preparing for upcoming seasonal targets
North Jetty and A Jetty shore
WDFW names North Jetty and A Jetty near Cape Disappointment State Park for lingcod, rockfish, and seaperch.
Best for
Lingcod
Setup
Ilwaco jetty and boat setup
Ilwaco ocean boat
Boat from Ilwaco (primary) or Port of Chinook. Bar crossing is hazardous; WDFW tells boaters to avoid peak outgoing tides. Ocean tuna is a far-offshore fishery.
Best for
Lingcod
Setup
Ilwaco jetty and boat setup
Common Tackle Setups
Ilwaco jetty and boat setup
Shore or boat spinning tackle for lingcod, surfperch, and Chinook when MA1 ocean salmon is open. This is the north jetty and bar.
Rod
8–10 ft medium spinning rod for jetty, harbor, and nearshore work.
Reel
Spinning reel with a smooth drag.
Main line
20–40 lb braid.
Leader
Fluorocarbon or mono leader suited to rock, jetty, and surge.
Terminal tackle
Swivels.; Jig heads.; Hardware suited to current Marine Area rules.
Presentation
A Washington license may be used south to Cape Falcon in Oregon, but Oregon regulations apply in Oregon waters; fish landed in Washington must conform to Washington landing rules.; Pacific halibut is quota-managed and.
Used for
North Jetty and A Jetty shore
Ilwaco ocean boat
Typical October Lures and Flies
Coming into the seasonal mix
Soft-plastic paddle tail
Lure
Lingcod
Shallow, Midwater, Variable · Steady, twitch, jig
Swim steadily through seams or hop lightly near bottom transitions
Soft-plastic jig head
Lure
Lingcod
Midwater, Bottom, Variable · Jig, slow, drift
Keep intermittent bottom contact around structure and soft edges
Diamond-style jig
Lure
Lingcod
Midwater to variable · Jig, fast, steady
Cast and retrieve with a steady or pulsed cadence through bait schools
General seasonal guidance, not a live recommendation, product endorsement, or guarantee of success.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
Ilwaco is the primary access point. Port of Chinook; Cape Disappointment State Park North Jetty and A Jetty. 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 at this station. Astoria (NOAA 9439040) is not the 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.
