Councilmember Matt Lessnau

05/26/2026

🎣 Let's see if we can get all five !

Black Lake in Pacific County of one of over 100 lakes statewide that are part of the WDFW Trout Derby. This small lake is located near Illwaco and offers a primitive launch located on the northeast side of the lake, and limited shore access along Highway 101. As of today, 5 prizes are still waiting to be claimed here! (https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations/lowland-lakes/black-lake-pacific)

Over 900 prizes are available statewide! You can find a participating lake near you on our derby lakes webpage (https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/contests/trout-derby/lakes) and more about the trout derby at wdfwderby.com.

Open to anyone with a valid fishing license (children under 16 fish for free). There is no entry fee or registration required. Just catch a tagged trout anytime between now and Oct. 31, and you win!

Photo: Child wearing a life vest sits in a boat holding a rainbow trout.

05/24/2026

05/11/2026

See you tonight!

https://files.heygov.com/ilwaco-wa.gov/meetings/me_01kr1zbdnhzvx1at50r3pvtj00/pn-5-11-26-zoom-instructions-regular-meeting.pdf

05/11/2026

More fish = more fun! 🎣 Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife out early this morning planting 2,000 more rainbow trout in Black Lake.

Thanks for the video, Frank Glenn IV!

05/06/2026

Join us for a morning of land tending at the Wallacut River Confluence near Ilwaco, WA!

On Friday, May 8, from 9:30am–12:30pm, we’ll pick up litter and remove invasive flora to help native plants and wildlife thrive. Tools, gloves, and guidance are provided — just bring your work boots, water bottle, and readiness to dig in! Sign up today to receive directions and join Columbia Land Trust in helping care for our conserved lands! Register below ⬇️⬇️

City of Ilwaco

Join us this May for two days of volunteer land tending outside Chinook, Washington

04/28/2026

What a fantastic showing for the 2026 Black Lake Fishing Derby ! Congratulations to the winners!

Glad to see that our decisive closure of infrastructure around the lake had such a dramatic impact on the results!

Looking forward to approving the purchase of a new dock for the boat launch area at tonight's council meeting!

See you out on the lake! 🎣

04/27/2026

“With these federal funds that the county has access to... that require no local match, it’s just incredibly critical that we capitalize on these opportunities when they’re presented”

Infrastructure funding is so vital to the success of our City and Pacific County and I'll never stop fighting for every available dollar 💪

LONG BEACH PENINSULA — There are signs of life for a local transportation project that’s been stuck in purgatory for more than two years. The Pacific County Commission voted earlier […]

04/20/2026

A reminder that starting today, structures and primary access points at Black Lake are closed until the Black Lake Fishing Derby begins this weekend. See you there! 🎣

01/13/2026

Last night I put forward a resolution calling for the immediate termination of Ilwaco's Fire Chief. Though the full legal process is yet to play out, and everyone is innocent until proven guilty, I believe that the number and severity of charges against Mr. Archer have resulted in a loss of public trust and have irreparably damaged his ability to perform his duties as Fire Chief. His continued employment risks damaging the reputation of both the City of Ilwaco as well as the City of Ilwaco Fire Department.

From the Chinook Observer: