tNEWS FLASH :  WDFW approves razor clam digs at Mocrocks, Twin Harbors and Copalis beaches on May 4-14 with a limit of 20 clams! (digging allowed 4 am to 4 pm on May 11-14. Razor Clam Tides  Bottom Fishing Starts March 11th Fishing News

Razor Clam Tides

Upcoming Razor Clam Tides


Approved razor clam digs with 20 clam limit instead of 15:

    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 AM; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
    • May 5, Friday, 7:10 AM; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
    • May 6, Saturday, 7:49 AM; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
    • May 7, Sunday, 8:31 AM; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
    • May 8, Monday, 9:15 AM; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
    • May 9, Tuesday, 10:03 AM; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
    • May 10, Wednesday, 10:57 AM; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
    • May 11, Thursday, 11:56 AM; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)
    • May 12, Friday, 12:59 PM; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)
    • May 13, Saturday, 2:03 PM; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)
    • May 14, Sunday, 3:03 PM; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501
wdfw.wa.gov

April 28, 2023
Contact: Bryce Blumenthal, 360-249-4628 ext. 232
Public Affairs contact: Mark Yuasa, 360-902-2262

WDFW approves final coastal razor clam digs of the spring season beginning Thursday, May 4

OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers today confirmed the final coastal razor clam digs of the season can proceed as planned from May 4-14.

"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.

Not all beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. The most successful digging occurs within two hours before the listed time of low tide.

Digging is allowed from midnight until 12 p.m. 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 AM; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • May 5, Friday, 7:10 AM; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • May 6, Saturday, 7:49 AM; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • May 7, Sunday, 8:31 AM; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • May 8, Monday, 9:15 AM; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • May 9, Tuesday, 10:03 AM; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • May 10, Wednesday, 10:57 AM; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • May 11, Thursday, 11:56 AM; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)
  • May 12, Friday, 12:59 PM; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)
  • May 13, Saturday, 2:03 PM; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)
  • May 14, Sunday, 3:03 PM; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (digging allowed 4 AM until 4 PM only)

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.

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501
wdfw.wa.gov 

March tentative coastal razor clam digs at Mocrocks and Copalis beaches announced

OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers today have tentatively scheduled additional razor clam digging dates at Mocrocks and Copalis beaches in March.

"After reopening harvest on Copalis and Mocrocks since late January, we are delighted to announce tentative digs at both beaches for the remainder of March," said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. "Marine toxin levels on Long Beach and Twin Harbors are still too high for reopening, but we're hopeful that digging will return to one or both of those beaches before April."

Final approval of remaining tentative openings in March is dependent on marine toxin test results.

The following approved digs during evening (p.m.) low tides are scheduled:

  • March 3, Friday, 4:31 PM; 0.6 feet; Mocrocks
  • March 4, Saturday, 5:09 PM; 0.4 feet; Copalis
  • March 5, Sunday, 5:42 PM; 0.2 feet; Mocrocks
  • March 6, Monday, 6:13 PM 0.1 feet; Copalis
  • March 7, Tuesday, 6:41 PM; 0.3 feet; Mocrocks
  • March 8, Wednesday, 7:09 PM; 0.5 feet; Copalis
  • March 17, Friday, 4:10 PM; 0.0 feet; Copalis (Ocean Shores Razor Clam and Seafood Festival)
  • March 18, Saturday, 5:06 PM; -0.5 feet; Mocrocks (Ocean Shores Razor Clam and Seafood Festival)
  • March 19, Sunday, 5:54 PM; -0.7 feet; Copalis (Ocean Shores Razor Clam and Seafood Festival)
  • March 20, Monday, 6:38 PM; -0.7 feet; Mocrocks
  • March 21, Tuesday, 7:18 PM; -0.5 feet; Copalis
  • March 22, Wednesday, 7:56 PM; 0.0 feet; Mocrocks

The followingapproved digs during morning (a.m.) low tides are scheduled:

  • March 23, Thursday, 8:29 AM; -0.3 feet; Copalis
  • March 24, Friday, 9:13 AM; -0.4 feet; Mocrocks
  • March 25, Saturday, 9:57 AM; -0.2 feet; Copalis
  • March 26, Sunday, 10:44 AM; 0.2 feet; Mocrocks

The Washington Department of Health (WDOH) labs indicate domoic acid levels at Long Beach and Twin Harbors beaches remain slightly above the health guideline levels. WDFW will announce future digging opportunities on those beaches when marine toxin tests show it is safe to do so.

Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. WDFW shellfish staff will continue to regularly dig test samples of razor clams to monitor the situation. WDOH requires two test samples taken around seven days apart, must fall under the health guideline level before a beach can reopen for razor clam digging. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW's domoic acid webpage.

The daily limit is 15 razor clams per person. Under state law, a daily limit consists of the first 15 clams dug regardless of size or condition, and each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container. Digging is prohibited in the razor clam reserve located just south of the Ocean City approach on Copalis, which are marked by 10-foot poles with signs. The most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.

Shellfish and seafood enthusiasts can also start making plans to attend the Ocean Shores Razor Clam and Seafood Festival on March 17-19, and the Long Beach Razor Clam Festival on April 8-9. These two long-running events celebrate the unique contribution of razor clams to Washington's culture and coastal communities.

Clam Gun or Shovel

Check this out!

WDFW  wants razor clam fans around the state to weigh in on the perennial question:

Which is better, clam gun or shovel? 

To register support for a favored digging method, clam diggers can post a photo or video, complete with hashtag #TeamClamShovel or #TeamClamGun on any social media before the end of the spring season.

Many ocean beaches are open to motor vehicles, but drivers are required to follow the "rules of the road," said Ayres. “Mocrocks beach only has three points of road access, so we are asking beachgoers to arrive early and exercise good judgment when accessing the beach,” he added. 

"Under state law, all vehicles - and horses - are required to travel along the extreme upper limit of the hard sand," he said. "When in doubt, follow the path marked by multiple tire tracks." Drivers who veer from that path pose a direct threat to fish and wildlife, Ayres said. Motorists who violate Washington state laws on beach driving can face a fine of $150, or much more for killing endangered seabirds, like snowy plovers. 

“We manage recreational clam digging in Washington in a manner that we believe minimizes potential impacts to vulnerable ground nesting listed bird species,” said Ayres. “We do this by not scheduling digging after May 15 at key breeding areas for snowy plovers and streaked horned larks, including Long Beach and Twin Harbors.”

The agency continues to emphasize ‘digging while distancing’ and masking up when near others to support efforts by community health experts to ensure a fun and safe razor clam season.  
 
The agency continues to emphasize ‘digging while distancing’ and masking up when near others to support efforts by community health experts to ensure a fun and safe razor clam season.  

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. 

Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license (starting at $9.70) to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW's website and from some 600 license vendors around the state.  

Under state law, diggers at open beaches can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container. 

Razor Clams

Please remember to check with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for last minute changes to the razor clam digging , rules and regulations.

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Beaches in Washington with razor clam fisheries include:

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Copalis Beach, which extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River, and includes the Copalis, Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.

Mocrocks Beach, which extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Seabrook, Pacific Beach and Moclips.

Twin Harbors Beach, which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.

Long Beach, which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.

Kalaloch Beach, which extends from the South Beach Campground to Brown’s Point (just south of Beach Trail 3) in the Olympic National Park. 

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