Washington Coast Clam Digs Given Green Light in March

Published 03/13/26 at 7:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Long Beach, Washington) - Just in time for some spring breakers, Washington's coast opens up to clam digging. (Photo courtesy WDFW)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has approved razor clam digging at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks from March 17 through March 24.

"March is finally here and with it comes longer days, the shift to morning harvest, and hopefully better weather," said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. "This next tide series will start off with our last few evening digs, then switch to spring morning tides to kick off weekend digging and the Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival."

Meanwhile, on the Oregon coast, sport razor-clam harvesting is closed from Cape Blanco south to the California border because of high domoic acid levels. It is open, however, from Port Orford up through Seaside and Warrenton.

Copalis and Mocrocks will not be open every day, and diggers are encouraged to confirm beach openings before traveling. All openings depend on marine toxin testing by the Washington State Department of Health, which requires domoic acid levels to fall below state safety thresholds before a beach can open. Final clearance typically occurs within a week of each tide series. Domoic acid is a naturally occurring toxin produced by certain algae and can be harmful if consumed in high amounts. Current toxin levels are posted on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.

Recent biotoxin closures affecting other shellfish species do not apply to razor clams or crab. Some species accumulate toxins more quickly and retain them longer, and DOH’s shellfish safety map outlines which species are safe to harvest.

Late afternoon and evening digs (noon to midnight only) are scheduled for:

March 17, Tuesday, 6:21 p.m., 0.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis; March 18, Wednesday, 6:54 p.m., 0.3 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis; and March 19, Thursday, 7:28 p.m., 0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.

Morning digs (midnight to noon only) are scheduled for:

March 20, Friday, 8:00 a.m., -0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival); March 21, Saturday, 8:43 a.m., -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival); March 22, Sunday, 9:29 a.m., -0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival); March 23, Monday, 10:22 a.m., -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks; and March 24, Tuesday, 11:21 a.m., -0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, with digging extended until 1 p.m.

Additional tentative morning low-tide dates include:

April 1, Wednesday, 6:45 a.m., 0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks; April 2, Thursday, 7:22 a.m., 0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks; April 3, Friday, 7:57 a.m., -0.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis; April 4, Saturday, 8:32 a.m., -0.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis; April 5, Sunday, 9:08 a.m., -0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks; April 6, Monday, 9:46 a.m., 0.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks; and April 7, Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., 0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.

WDFW notes that the most successful digging typically occurs one to two hours before low tide. The daily limit on all open beaches is 15 clams per person, and each digger must keep the first 15 clams they harvest and store them separately. A valid 2025–2026 license is required for anyone 16 or older, and WDFW encourages purchasing licenses before traveling to coastal communities.

Kalaloch Beach will remain closed due to continued low numbers of harvestable clams.

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