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home Headline Fishing News, Washington Fishing News Up and coming razor clam digs to open in Washington State

Up and coming razor clam digs to open in Washington State

By NWFN Editorial Staff   Posted in Headline Fishing News Washington Fishing News
Posted on

 Kalaloch Beach Razor Clams – NPS, PD

 

Mocrocks, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis to host digs

 

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers have confirmed the season’s next round of razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks, running March 26-April 3. Additionally, tentative dig dates are now also scheduled through May 15.

“This next tide series will have a bit of everything with the last afternoon to evening tides of the season and the beginning of the spring morning digs,” said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW’s recreational razor clam manager. “Morning tides usually bring new participants and larger crowds, so we want to remind beachgoers to respect the 25-mph speed limit and only drive on the hard-packed sand near the high tide line to keep diggers safe and avoid disturbing clam beds and snowy plover nests.”

The set of digs at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, and Copalis running March 26-April 3 will proceed after marine toxin results from the Washington Department of Health showed razor clams are safe to eat at those beaches.

WDOH requires two test samples taken seven to 10 days apart, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities.

As in past years, WDFW is asking beachgoers to avoid disturbing nesting snowy plovers – a small bird with gray wings and a white breast – by staying out of the dunes and posted areas along the southwest coast. Snowy plover nests are nearly invisible, and it is vital to give birds the space to live and thrive during the nesting period, especially along the southern end on Twin Harbors – known as Midway Beach – and north of Second Avenue in Ocean City to the north end of Copalis Beach and the north end of Long Beach.

Avoid leaving leftover food or trash – which attracts predators – on the beach and picnic areas, keep pets on a leash, stay out of dunes, and avoid areas which are clearly marked with posted signs.

On all open beaches, the daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 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.

For more information on these digs, go to WDFW’s razor clam webpage.

 

Below are the approved and tentative dates for razor clam digs, along with low tides and beaches. Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide. No digging is allowed before noon during digs when low tide occurs in the afternoon or evening. 

APPROVED, EVENING TIDES ONLY:

  • March 26, Wednesday, 5:08 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • March 27, Thursday, 5:50 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • March 28, Friday, 6:29 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

MORNING TIDES ONLY:

  • March 29, Saturday, 6:58 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • March 30, Sunday, 7:43 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • March 31, Monday, 8:28 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • April 1, Tuesday, 9:17 a.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • April 2, Wednesday, 10:09 a.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • April 3, Thursday, 11:07 a.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Final approval of marine toxin testing usually occurs about a week or less – sometimes two to three days – prior to the start of each digging series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.

ADDITIONAL TENTATIVE DATES:

MORNING TIDES ONLY:

  • April 12, Saturday, 6:57 a.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • April 13, Sunday, 7:29 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • April 14, Monday, 8:00 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • April 15, Tuesday, 8:33 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • April 16, Wednesday, 9:08 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • April 17, Thursday, 9:48 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • April 18, Friday, 10:33 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

 

  • April 26, Saturday, 5:53 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • April 27, Sunday, 6:40 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • April 28, Monday, 7:25 a.m.; -2.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • April 29, Tuesday, 8:12 a.m.; -2.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • April 30, Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.; -2.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • May 1, Thursday, 9:52 a.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • May 2, Friday, 10:47 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging extended until 2 p.m.)
  • May 3, Saturday, 11:48 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging extended until 2 p.m.)

 

  • May 10, Saturday, 5:58 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • May 11, Sunday, 6:32 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • May 12, Monday, 7:05 a.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • May 13, Tuesday, 7:38 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • May 14, Wednesday, 8:13 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • May 15, Thursday, 8:49 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

 

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