Submitted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Monday 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 opportunities, 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 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:
- 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 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Below are 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, https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/basics/domoic-acid.
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.
The 2024-25 Razor Clam Management Plan is available on WDFW’s website, https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/login. For more information, refer to WDFW's razor clam webpage, https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams.
