Razor clam season extending at Long Beach

LONG BEACH — Razor clam digging on the Long Beach Peninsula will stay open daily through March 31, although with an odd back-and-forth between morning and afternoon low tides.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced a three-week extension of digging beyond the scheduled closure of March 10.

Long Beach will be open on evening tides through March 10, then open on morning tides from March 11 through 14. Digging reverts to evening tides from March 15 to 23, then morning tides again from March 24 through 31.

“Low tides are a little unusual this March, which means diggers should be sure to check tide information before heading to Long Beach,’’ said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Optimal digging conditions occur when the low tide is 1 foot or lower.

“There are several days early in the month when low tides will be high enough to make digging difficult,’’ Ayres said.

Mocrocks Beach will be open March 5 through 8.

Diggers can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 dug. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.

All diggers age 15 and older must have a 2015-16 license to harvest razor clams. Licenses can include a three-day razor clam license for $9.70, a seasonal clam license for $14.10 or a combination fishing-shellfish license for $55.35.