The beaches are brimming with mollusks and that calls for another round of razor clam digging in Grays Harbor County and neighboring Pacific County at the end of February into early March.
Shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said Tuesday, Feb. 22, that the next round of digging will take place as planned from Feb. 26 through March 4.
“Exceptionally abundant razor clam populations continue to provide good digging for a lot of diggers,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, in a statement on Tuesday.
“With this weekend’s afternoon low tides, there is no excuse to not … get out for some great razor clamming.”
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 late afternoon and evening low tides will proceed after marin toxin results from the Washington Department of Health showed that razor clams are safe to eat.
■ Saturday, Feb. 26, 3:18 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis.
■ Sunday, Feb. 27, 4:16 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach and Mocrocks.
■ Monday, Feb. 28, 5:06 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach.
■ Tuesday, March 1, 5:50 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks.
■ Wednesday, March 2, 6:30 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Copalis.
■ Thursday, March 3, 7:07 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks.
■ Friday, March 4, 7:42 p.m.; 0.0 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.”
The Department of Fish and Wildlife also announced a series of tentative clam digs for spring. Those clam dig dates, which are pending final marine toxin testing, are tentatively scheduled from March 16 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.
