A confluence of good conditions and lots of mollusks will lead to another round of razor clam digs in Grays Harbor County and Pacific County later this month. But this time around clam diggers will also get several opportunities to do their thing in the morning hours.
Shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said Tuesday, March 8, that the next round of digging will take place as planned from March 16 through March 22.
“We know that many harvesters look forward to morning digs and they’ll find a lot of nice clams waiting for them when we make the switch to morning tides on March 20,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, in a statement on Tuesday.
Diggers are reminded that the daily limit has reverted to the standard 15 razor clams. A daily limit, as per state law, consists of the first 15 clams dug up regardless of size or condition. Additionally, each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
The following digs during early evening and mid-morning and low tides will proceed after marin toxin results from the Washington Department of Health showed that razor clams are safe to eat.
Digging for the following days is only allowed from noon through 11:59 p.m.
— Wednesday, March 16, 6:35 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks.
— Thursday, March 17, 7:08 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis.
— Friday, March 18, 7:41 p.m.; +0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks.
— Saturday, March 19, 8:14 p.m.; +0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis.
Digging for the following days is only allowed from 12 a.m. through 11:59 a.m.
— Sunday, March 20, 8:46 a.m.; +0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks.
— Monday, March 21, 9:30 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis.
— Tuesday, March 22, 10:18 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks.
“Not all beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out,” the Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement. “Diggers should also continue to respect coastal communities and residents by following local and state health guidelines.
“The most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide. No digging is allowed before noon during digs when low tide occurs in the afternoon or evening.”
Clam digs are also tentatively scheduled through April 30.
All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license or a Fish Washington license, are available from WDFW’s licensing website at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/login, and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. WDFW recommends buying your license before visiting coastal beach communities for this razor clam season.
Details on these and future digs can be found at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams.
To learn more about razor clam abundance, population densities at various beaches, and how seasons are set, visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams#management.
