Razor Clamming Right Now on Washington Coast – Oregon Coast

Published 12/31/24 at 6:05 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) – A major difference between Oregon and Washington beaches is how they handle razor clamming. Right now is the season on the Washington coastline, with three official dates in the new year and numerous tentative dates planned. On Oregon's shoreline, over half it is closed to razor clamming at the moment. (Photo WDFW)

According to Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), razor clamming has been closed for awhile from Lincoln City down to the California border. Domoic acid is the issue there, the biotoxin that often creeps up and wrecks a season.

This means almost 2/3's of the coastline is closed: including Brookings, Bandon, Coos Bay, Waldport, Newport and Lincoln City. The area from Cascade Head northward (Neskowin through Warrenton) is open, which is even better as the Clatsop Beach area of Seaside through Warrenton has 90% of the razor population. See the Oregon shellfish closure page.

On the Washington side, digging for them has been greenlit for January 1 – 3 of 2025, happening for Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mockrocks (exact places on which day is different; see the Washington Razor Clamming page).

Photo Seaside Aquarium

A variety of tentative dates are set for January 10 - 16 and then for January 26 - February 1 at the same four spots – which again depend on the day.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has to test marine samples to make sure it is free of biotoxins, just like Oregon does.

Photo Seaside Aquarium

“Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities,” WDFW said. “Final approval usually occurs about a week or less before the start of each digging series. “

All digs happen at the low tide in the evening of each day.

WDFW has been dealing with female Dungeness crab making appearances beneath the sands, in the same areas that clamming takes place.

Long Beach - Oregon Coast Beach Connection photo

“These upcoming digs have some of the lowest tides of the winter season and should provide plenty of opportunity to gather razor clams for holiday meals and gifts,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “We’ve also received reports of people encountering buried Dungeness crab while digging during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and it’s possible there may be some around for this upcoming tide series.” See Unusually Large Number of Female Dungeness on Washington Coast Beaches, Officials a Little Worried

People have been encountering egg-bearing female Dungeness crab buried in the sand.

WDFW said it is important for razor clam diggers to carefully look for “clam shows” - a dimple, doughnut, or keyhole indentation, roughly the size of a quarter. Then gently insert clam tubes or shovels into the sand to avoid potentially crushing a crab.

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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