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Final coastal razor clam digs of spring start May 4

Daily limit is 20 clams per digger

By Columbian news services

Published: May 3, 2023, 3:55pm

These clams were all dug on the northern end of the Long Beach Peninsula, a few hundred yards north of the Oysterville Approach. (Allen Thomas for The Columbian)

OLYMPIA — The final Washington coastal razor clam digs of the season are proceeding as planned from May 4-14, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers announced.

“This last tide series had lots of happy diggers, and we’re anticipating more of the same for this upcoming tide series to close out the season,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist.

On all open beaches — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, and Copalis — the daily limit is 20 razor clams instead of the usual 15. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 20 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition.

The most successful digging occurs within two hours before the listed time of low tide.

Digging is allowed from midnight until noon only on May 4-10. Since low tides on May 11-14 are near or after 12 p.m., digging will be allowed from 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. for those specific days only.

The following digs during morning (a.m.) low tides are scheduled (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. on May 11-14 only):

May 4, Thursday, 6:32 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

May 5, Friday, 7:10 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

May 6, Saturday, 7:49 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

May 7, Sunday, 8:31 a.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

May 8, Monday, 9:15 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

May 9, Tuesday, 10:03 a.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

May 10, Wednesday, 10:57 a.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

May 11, Thursday, 11:56 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. only)

May 12, Friday, 12:59 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. only)

May 13, Saturday, 2:03 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. only)

May 14, Sunday, 3:03 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. only)

To participate, razor clam diggers must purchase their new 2023-2024 recreational fishing or shellfishing licenses, available from hundreds of license vendors around the state. All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. To be notified of in-season rule changes as they are announced sign up for email notifications at wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists.

WDFW plans to announce tentative digging opportunities in early fall for the 2023-2024 season via the WDFW razor clam webpage.

This summer, WDFW will monitor, domoic acid, a natural marine toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, that can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage and on the DOH webpage.

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