Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed seven days of razor clam digs on coastal beaches beginning Jan. 10.
“This upcoming tide series should be a good one for daylight digging opportunity, with weekend low tide times occurring before or just after sunset,” said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW’s recreational razor clam manager. “Clam diggers have had mixed success with recent weather, but we expect improved conditions — and easier digging — as winter approaches spring.”
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.
The following digs during evening (p.m.) low tides will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) showed razor clams are safe to eat:
Approved digs
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
Additional tentative dates:
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
Feb 8, Saturday, 3:36 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb 9, Sunday, 4:29 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb 10, Monday, 5:15 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb 11, Tuesday, 5:54 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb 12, Wednesday, 6:29 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb 13, Thursday, 7:01 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb 14, Friday, 7:32 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb 24, Monday, 4:04 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb 25, Tuesday, 4:46 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb 26, Wednesday, 5:25 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb 27, Thursday, 6:03 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb 28, Friday, 6:39 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
March 1, Saturday, 7:15 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
DOH requires test 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 about a week or less before the start of each digging series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.
On all open beaches, 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.
