Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed seven days of razor clam digs on coastal beaches beginning Saturday, Dec. 28, including opportunities around the New Year’s Day holiday.
“We are waving goodbye to 2024 and welcoming 2025 with seven days of razor clam digging,” said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW’s recreational razor clam manager. “Please celebrate the new year responsibly while out on the coast, following all beach rules, so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience.”
Drivers should follow the beach speed limit of 25 mph and avoid driving on razor clam beds. Fireworks are only allowed from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1. Please note that fireworks and bonfires must be kept at least 100 feet from flammable dune grass.
Not all coastal beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. No digging is allowed before noon during digs when low tide occurs in the afternoon or evening. Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.
New digs:
Dec 28, Saturday, 4:58 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec 29, Sunday, 5:36 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec 30, Monday, 6:14 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec 31, Tuesday, 6:51 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan 1, Wednesday, 7:29 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan 2, Thursday, 8:08 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan 3, Friday, 8:48 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Below are additional tentative dates:
Jan 10, Friday, 3:47 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan 11, Saturday, 4:39 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan 12, Sunday, 5:27 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan 13, Monday, 6:10 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan 14, Tuesday, 6:50 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan 15, Wednesday, 7:28 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan 16, Thursday, 8:03 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan 26, Sunday, 4:34 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan 27, Monday, 5:15 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan 28, Tuesday, 5:54 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan 29, Wednesday, 6:31 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan 30, Thursday, 7:07 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan 31, Friday, 7:44 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb 1, Saturday, 8:21 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
DOH requires testing of razor clam samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Final approval usually occurs a few days to a week before the start of each dig series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.
The daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition, to prevent waste.
All diggers 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW’s licensing website and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. WDFW recommends buying your license before visiting coastal beach communities.
