Submitted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
Clam diggers have a green light to dig razor clams March 25-27 at Mocrocks Beach on Washington’s coast after marine toxin tests showed the clams there are safe to eat.
Another option is Long Beach, which is currently open to digging through March 31.
Both beaches have been approved for razor clam digging by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which sets seasons for the fishery.
The dig at Mocrocks is scheduled on morning tides and ends at noon each day. The dig at Long Beach switches from evening to morning tides, as shown on WDFW’s website.
Low tides during the three-day dig at Mocrocks are:
- March 25, Friday, 8:31 a.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks
- March 26, Saturday, 9:06 a.m.; 0.6 feet; Mocrocks
- March 27, Sunday, 9:42 a.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks
State shellfish managers recommend that diggers hit the beach an hour or two before low tide.
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 2015-16 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.
WDFW has also announced a list of proposed digs in April, subject to the results of additional marine toxin tests. Shellfish managers will announce a final decision on those digs about a week before they are set to begin.
Digs proposed for April 9 and 10 coincide with the Long Beach Razor Clam Festival, featuring free razor clam digging lessons and other attractions. More information on the festival is available here.
Ayres reminds diggers that fishing licenses for the 2015-16 season expire March 31. New licenses for the season starting April 1 are available online and from license dealers throughout the state.
Tentative Razor Clam Dates in April 2016
- April 3, Sunday, 4:13 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach
- April 4, Monday, 5:04 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach
- April 5, Tuesday, 5:51 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach
- April 6, Wednesday, 6:36 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach
- April 7, Thursday, 7:07 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks
- April 8, Friday, 7:54 a.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks
- April 9, Saturday, 8:42 a.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Copalis
- April 10, Sunday, 9:32 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
- April 11, Monday, 10:23 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach
- April 12, Tuesday, 11:19 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach
- April 20, Wednesday, 6:25 a.m.; 0.6 feet; Long Beach
- April 21, Thursday, 7:01 a.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach
- April 22, Friday, 7:35 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach
- April 23, Saturday, 8:08 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
- April 24, Sunday, 8:42 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach
- April 25, Monday, 9:18 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
- April 26, Tuesday, 9:56 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
- April 27, Wednesday, 10:39 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach
- April 28, Thursday, 11:28 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach
