Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Friday confirmed seven days of razor clam digs on coastal beaches beginning Dec. 28, including opportunities around the New …
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Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Friday confirmed seven days of razor clam digs on coastal beaches beginning Dec. 28, including opportunities around the New Year’s Day holiday.
“We are waving goodbye to 2024 and welcoming 2025 with seven days of razor clam digging,” said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW’s recreational razor clam manager. “Please celebrate the new year responsibly while out on the coast, following all beach rules, so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience.”
Drivers should follow the beach speed limit of 25 mph and avoid driving on razor clam beds, WDFW stated in a news release. Fireworks are only allowed from 6 p.m. Dec.. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
“Please note that fireworks and bonfires must be kept at least 100 feet from flammable dune grass,” the WDFW stated.
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:
Below are additional tentative dates:
DOH requires testing of razor clam 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 a few days to a week before the start of each dig series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.
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.
All diggers 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW’s licensing website and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. WDFW recommends buying your license before visiting coastal beach communities.
The 2024-25 Razor Clam Management Plan is available on WDFW’s website. For more information, go to WDFW's razor clam webpage.
