A razor clam digger makes his way toward the surf at Long Beach on Saturday evening. A surging tide gave most diggers fits and made the clams shy.
It’s time to get your short-handled shovels and clam guns at the ready — the season’s first razor clam tides have been approved and they begin Friday.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced in a press release that the Long Beach Peninsula digs were approved after marine toxin tests revealed the succulent bivalves to be safe for consumption.
"We know people have been looking forward to digging razor clams, and based on our surveys, we expect some great digging on Long Beach," said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, in the release.
The season opening dig is for the following dates and morning low tides:
Sept. 27, Friday, 5:52 a.m. -0.9, Long Beach only
Sept. 28, Saturday, 6:36 a.m. -0.8, Long Beach only
Sept. 29, Sunday, 7:19 am -0.6, Long Beach only
No other beaches will be open during the opening set of digs and no digging will be allowed after noon. Ayres always recommends getting to the beach an hour or two before low tide for the best odds.
Last season Long Beach was limited to just four razor clam digging days due to a dearth of mature clams. According to WDFW surveys most of those clams have grown up now. Population and size estimates show that the “World’s Longest Beach” may be able to sustain around 100 digging dates before the season ends next spring.
“Razor clam digs are a major source of livelihood for coastal communities, bringing out hundreds of thousands of tourists each year to enjoy all we have to offer, including terrific nature, food, entertainment and fun on the beach for the whole family,” said Andi Day, Executive Director at Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau, in the release. “We value and appreciate WDFW’s work to manage this terrific resource for our communities.”
Additional razor clam digs have already been proposed for Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, and Long Beach. Those digs are scheduled to run intermittently through Dec. 29.
“Abundant razor clam populations on all beaches, except Kalaloch, are allowing for more digging opportunity this year,” Ayres noted. “But, it is important that razor clam diggers be sure to only dig where it is allowed.”
The remainder of the proposed digs for 2019 would take place on the following dates, tides, and beaches:
Oct. 26, Saturday, 5:59 pm, 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 27, Sunday, 6:47 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 28, Monday, 7:33 pm, -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 29, Tuesday, 8:18 pm, -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 30, Wednesday, 9:03 pm, -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 31, Thursday, 9:50 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 1, Friday, 10:38 pm, -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 11, Monday, 5:51 pm, 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 12, Tuesday, 6:27 pm, -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 13, Wednesday, 7:03 pm, -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 14, Thursday, 7:41 pm, -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 15, Friday, 8:22 pm, -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 16, Saturday, 9:08 pm, -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 17, Sunday, 9:59 pm, -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 24, Sunday, 4:47 pm, -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 25, Monday, 5:34 pm, -1.0 feet; Long Beach Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 26, Tuesday, 6:18 pm, -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 27, Wednesday, 7:02 pm, -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 28, Thursday, 7:44 pm, -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 29, Friday, 8:29 pm, -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 30, Saturday, 9:10 pm, -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 10, Tuesday, 5:28 pm, -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 11, Wednesday, 6:06 pm, -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 12, Thursday, 6:45 pm, -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 13, Friday, 7:26 pm, -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 14, Saturday, 8:08 pm, -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 15, Sunday, 8:53 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 16, Monday, 9:41 pm, -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 23, Monday, 4:35 pm, -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 26, Thursday, 6:47 pm, -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 27, Friday, 7:26 pm, -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 28, Saturday, 8:05 pm, -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 29, Sunday, 8:43 pm, -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
The proposed digs are dependant upon final approval pending the results of marine toxin tests set to be conducted closer to the digging dates. Results are typically released about one week in advance of the digs.
All diggers age 15 and older are required to possess a fishing license while harvesting razor clams on any beach. Individuals are limited to 15 clams per day and must keep the first 15 clams they dig regardless of size or condition. Additionally, each digger is required to carry their harvest in a personal container.
