WDFW Announces Proposed Razor Clam Digs Through April

Submitted by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife

Clam diggers looking forward to the next razor clam dig on Washington beaches now have two more months of possible options to consider.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has released a list of proposed digs in March and April, adding to one previously announced for February 26-28.

None of those digs has yet received final approval, but the list will allow diggers to start planning their next trip to the beach, said Dan Ayres, WDFW shellfish manager.

“We expect to add some digs at Mocrocks and Copalis in April, but we need to measure harvest levels next month before we can do that,” Ayres said. “As usual, we’ll give the final word on all of the scheduled digs once we receive the results of upcoming marine toxin tests.”

Ayres also noted that the seasonal shift from evening tides to morning tides will occur March 30, four days into a proposed six-day dig.

“That’s another reason to announce these tentative digging dates as soon as possible, he said. “The last thing we want to do is take people by surprise.”

Proposed digs are tentatively scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides:

• Feb. 26, Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Twin Harbors
• Feb. 27, Thursday, 5:04 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks
• Feb. 28, Friday, 5:49 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks

• March 1, Saturday, 6:32 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks, Copalis
• March 2, Sunday, 7:13 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks
• March 3, Monday, 7:53 p.m.; +0.3 feet; Twin Harbors

• March 26, Wednesday, 3:52 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Twin Harbors
• March 27, Thursday, 4:48 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Twin Harbors
• March 28, Friday, 5:38 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks
• March 29, Saturday, 6:23 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks

Seasonal switch to morning tides

• March 30, Sunday, 6:53 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks
• March 31, Monday, 7:39 a.m.; -0.5 feet; Twin Harbors

• April 1, Tuesday, 8:22 a.m.; -0.7 feet;  Twin Harbors, Long Beach
• April 2, Wednesday, 9:05 a.m.; -0.6 feet;  Twin Harbors, Long Beach
• April 3, Thursday, 9:49 a.m.; -0.3 feet;  Twin Harbors, Long Beach

• April 14, Monday, 6:46 a.m.; +0.2 feet;  Twin Harbors
• April 15, Tuesday, 7:24 a.m.; -0.3 feet;  Twin Harbors, Long Beach
• April 16, Wednesday, 8:03 a.m.; -0.6 feet;  Twin Harbors, Long Beach
• April 17, Thursday, 8:43 a.m.; -0.8 feet;  Twin Harbors, Long Beach
• April 18, Friday, 9:26 a.m.; -0.8 feet;  Twin Harbors, Long Beach,
• April 19, Saturday, 10:14 a.m.; -0.7 feet;  Twin Harbors, Long Beach
• April 20, Sunday, 11:06 a.m.; -0.4 feet;  Twin Harbors, Long Beach

Ayres noted that the 2^nd Annual Long Beach Razor Clam Festival will be held April 19-20.

Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2013-14 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website and from license vendors around the state.

For updates on upcoming digs, see WDFW’s website.