State announces additional razor clams digging dates

LONG BEACH — Razor clam digging will be open Dec. 29-31 on the Long Beach Peninsula, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday.

“Razor clam digging on New Year’s Eve has become a tradition for many Washingtonians,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager. “The tides aren’t conducive to a holiday dig every year, but they’re with us this year.”

Low tide will -0.3 feet at 7:15 p.m. on Dec. 29, -0.2 feet at 7:47 p.m. on Dec. 30 and 0.0 feet at 8:20 p.m. on Dec. 31.

In past years, as many as 20,000 people have descended on ocean beaches to dig razor clams on New Year’s Eve, Ayres said.

Only Twin Harbors beach will be open on Dec. 28. Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks will be open Dec. 29 with Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis open on Dec. 30 and 31.

Fall and winter digs are on afternoon tides only. Diggers are limited to their first 15 clams, which must be kept in a separate container.

The department also announced the tentative digging schedule through February. The dates, low tides and open beaches are:

Jan. 8, Tuesday, 3:44 p.m., -0.2 ft., Twin Harbors.

Jan. 9, Wednesday, 4:38 p.m., -0.9 ft., Twin Harbors.

Jan. 10, Thursday, 5:27 p.m., -1.3 ft., Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis.

Jan. 11, Friday, 6:14 p.m., -1.6 ft., Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks.

Jan. 12, Saturday, 6:58 p.m., -1.5 ft., Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks.

Jan. 13, Sunday, 7:41 p.m., -1.2 ft., Twin Harbors.

Jan. 14, Tuesday, 8:22 p.m., -0.6 ft., Twin Harbors

Jan. 25, Friday, 5:44 p.m., +0.0 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors.

Jan. 26, Saturday, 6:18 p.m., -0.2 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks.

Jan. 27, Sunday, 6:50 p.m., -0.2 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors

Feb. 7, Thursday, 4:22 p.m., -0.5 ft., Twin Harbors.

Feb. 8, Friday, 5:11 p.m., -0.9 ft., Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks

Feb. 9, Saturday, 5:56 p.m., -1.0 ft., Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks.

Feb. 10, Sunday, 6:37 p.m., -0.9 ft., Twin Harbors, Long Beach.

Feb. 11, Monday, 7:17 p.m., -0.5 ft., Twin Harbors.

Feb. 12, Tuesday, 7:54 p.m., 0.0 ft., Twin Harbors.

Feb. 23, Saturday, 5:12 p.m., +0.3 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors.

Feb. 24, Sunday, 5:47 p.m., +0.1 ft., Long Beach, Twin Harbors.