The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on Tuesday confirmed the next round of razor clam digging opportunities at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches from Nov. 7 to 11.
"Marine toxins continue to linger above the closure level for Long Beach and Twin Harbors, but thankfully the northern beaches of Copalis and Mocrocks remain low enough for harvest,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “The first set of digs proved to be a challenge for those who made it out, and an increased swell forecast with less deep low tides will make digging even more difficult during this upcoming tide series.”
During fall and winter, including this coming weekend, razor clam diggers should keep an eye on the surf, especially in stormy conditions and if the swell height is expected to be above 11 feet. Check the ocean forecast on the NOAA National Weather Service website.
WDFW’s summer 2026 stock assessment found fewer razor clams on Copalis and Mocrocks than in recent years, and diggers can expect fewer digging days during the 2026-2027 season.
Razor clam abundance on Twin Harbors and Long Beach remains near average. Razor clam populations naturally rise and fall from year to year with ocean conditions, and the allowable harvest on each beach is set as a share of the population size.
“The population on Copalis and Mocrocks beaches is not what it had been in previous years,” Blumenthal said. “Digging a limit may require moving from spot to spot, and pounding the sand will most likely be necessary to find clam shows.”
The two coastal beaches — Copalis and Mocrocks — are not open for every digging date, so WDFW encourages diggers to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. When traveling to the coast, diggers will also need to anticipate traffic congestion within local communities and at approaches to beaches. Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.
The following digs during late afternoon and evening (noon to midnight only) low tides will proceed as scheduled:
Digging at Long Beach and Twin Harbors is closed until further notice after test results on razor clams indicate domoic acid levels continue to exceed the health guidelines set by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) for safe consumption, according to the WDFW.
Domoic acid, a natural toxin that certain marine algae produce, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. For more information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, refer to WDFW’s domoic acid webpage and the DOH webpage.
All beach openings are dependent on final approval of marine toxin testing, which usually occurs about a week or less before the start of each digging series. Before a beach can open for digging, the DOH requires two test samples seven to 10 days apart and domoic acid levels under the guideline level.
In previous years, the 2020-2021 razor clam digging season closed early due to domoic acid; 2022-2023 had a domoic acid closure in late fall and winter; and 2023-2024 had a small-window closure at Mocrocks during the beginning of the season. Razor clam digging in 2021-2022, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 was open the entire season.
When driving on the beach, the WDFW asks motorists to respect the 25-mph speed limit and enter only at designated access points. Staying on the hard-packed sand near the high tide line also avoids crushing clam beds, buried female Dungeness crab and snowy plover nests.
The daily limit is 15 clams per person, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
“It's important that diggers keep the clams they dig to prevent wastage (includes discarding small clams, clam with broken shells or reburying unwanted clams),” Blumenthal said. “It's not unusual to encounter some smaller size razor clams, especially this early in the season.”
All diggers ages 16 or older must have a valid 2026-2027 license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses are available on WDFW’s website, through the MyWDFW mobile app or from statewide license dealers and WDFW regional offices. WDFW recommends diggers buy their license before visiting coastal beach communities.
Kalaloch beach off the northern Olympic Peninsula coast won’t be open due to continuing issues with depressed populations of harvestable clams.
The 2026-2027 Razor Clam Management Plan is available on the WDFW’s website. WDFW welcomes public input on proposed razor clam schedules and considers this feedback when finalizing each season’s digs. Public comments may be emailed to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov. For more information, refer to the WDFW's razor clam webpage.
Fishery managers note that as a result of legislatively directed budget reductions, the department will have less staff capacity to survey razor clams and support marine toxin analysis, which could result in delayed season opening and reduced opening days. More information is available in WDFW’s blog post.
