Submitted by The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
State shellfish managers have approved a series of razor clam digs that starts Monday (March 16) on evening tides, then switches to morning tides Saturday (March 21) for four more days of digging.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the digs after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.
As spring approaches, the best low tides start occurring in the morning rather than evening, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. The switch from evening to morning digs reflects that seasonal cycle.
“We are happy to be able to provide this opener to coincide with the annual Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival,” Ayres said. “The split schedule also provides an opportunity for back-to-back digs the evening of Friday, March 20, and the morning of Saturday, March 21.”
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, are available on WDFW’s website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.
This is the last chance for diggers to use their 2014-15 fishing licenses, which expire March 31, Ayres said. Beginning April 1, a 2015-16 fishing license will be required. A list of proposed upcoming digs is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Under state law, diggers are required to keep the first 15 clams they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
The dig is scheduled for the following dates, beaches and low tides:
March 16, Monday, 4:15 p.m.; 0.3 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
- March 17, Tuesday, 5:08 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors
- March 18, Wednesday, 5:57 p.m.; -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
- March 19, Thursday, 6:42 p.m.; -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
- March 20, Friday, 7:26 p.m.; -0.4 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Seasonal switch to morning tides
- March 21, Saturday, 7:55 a.m.; -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
- March 22, Sunday, 8:42 a.m.; -0.7 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
- March 23, Monday, 9:31 a.m.; -0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
- March 24, Tuesday, 10:21 a.m.; -0.3 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
WDFW has razor clam recipes as well as advice on digging and cleaning clams on its webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/.
