Washington Coast Resumes Razor Clam Digging, Tentative Schedules Through Dec

Published 09/16/20 at 3:41 AM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Twin Harbors, Washington) – Clamming gleefully returns to the Washington coast after September 16 with 39 scheduled dates through December, as shellfish managers have approved the harvesting of razor clams after marine toxins tested below warning levels. Final approval is still required on the scheduled open dates, which depend on further marine toxin testing.

Digging for clams is also contingent upon what is happening with COVID-19 in Washington coast communities.

Meanwhile, those not living in Oregon are still not allowed to dig for clams on its coastline, leaving Washingtonians to their beaches.

“Close proximity can accelerate the spread of COVID-19, so we’re asking the public to take steps to thoroughly prepare for their visits to avoid increasing risk,” said Larry Phillips, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal region director, who notes that the Department is being guided by risk assessments by local and state health officials. Health agencies are asking people to:

Stay home if sick,
Practice social distancing of at least six feet,
Mask up,
Bring Personal Protective Equipment like hand sanitizer,
Leave no Trace: Pack out belongings and garbage,
Purchase licenses ahead of the trip,
Bring non-cash payment methods to reduce contact, and
Follow local ordinances and guidelines.

“Abundant razor clam populations are allowing for numerous digging opportunities this year,” said Ayres. “But, it is important that clam diggers only dig where it is allowed, pay close attention to the variable day openings on Copalis and Mocrocks, prefer weekday digging if possible to avoid crowds, and spread out while digging, especially now.” Razor clam diggers can find detailed beach maps that indicate locations and local names for beaches on WDFW’s razor clam webpages.

COVID-19 infection rates in Washington beach towns and larger cities will be closely monitored by public health officials, possibly adjusting the digging season dates to reduce further risk from the pandemic.

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 at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from some 600 license vendors around the state. WDFW recommends buying your license before visiting coastal beach communities for this razor clam season.

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.

More information can be found on WDFW's razor clam webpage at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/.

The approved razor clam digs to date, along with low tides and beaches, are listed below:

A.M. TIDES:

Sept. 16, Wednesday, 6:17 am, -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Sept. 17, Thursday, 6:58 am, -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Sept. 18, Friday, 7:39 am, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Sept. 19, Saturday, 8:19 am, -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

No digging is allowed after noon for digs where low tide occurs in the morning.

The tentative razor clam through December, along with low tides and beaches, are listed below:

P.M. TIDES:

Sept. 20, Sunday, 9:43 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Sept. 21, Monday, 10:37 pm, -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Sept. 22, Tuesday, 11:37 pm, -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 16, Friday, 7:00 pm, -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 17, Saturday, 7:47 pm, -1.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 18, Sunday, 8:35 pm, -1.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 19, Monday, 9:24 pm, -1.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 20, Tuesday, 10:16 pm, -1.0; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 21, Wednesday, 11:12 pm, -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Oct. 31, Saturday, 7:26 pm, 0.0; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 1, Sunday, 6:59 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 2, Monday, 7:33 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 3, Tuesday, 8:08 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Nov. 13, Friday, 4:58 pm, -0.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 14, Saturday, 5:45 pm, -1.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 15, Sunday, 6:32 pm, -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 16, Monday, 7:19 pm, -1.8; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 17, Tuesday, 8:06 pm, -1.6; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 18, Wednesday, 8:56 pm, -1.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 19, Thursday, 9:47 pm, -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 1, Tuesday, 7:14 pm, -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 2, Wednesday, 7:51 pm, -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 3, Thursday, 8:30 pm, -0.3; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 4, Friday, 9:12 pm, -0.1; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 12, Saturday, 4:44 pm, -0.8; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 13, Sunday, 5:32 pm, -1.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 14, Monday, 6:19 pm, -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 15, Tuesday, 7:05pm, -1.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 16, Wednesday, 7:50 pm, -1.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 17, Thursday, 8:35 pm, -1.0; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 18, Friday, 9:21 pm, -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 28, Monday, 5:43 pm, -0.2; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 29, Tuesday, 6:20 pm, -0.5; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 30, Wednesday, 6:57 pm, -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 31, Thursday, 7:34 pm, -0.7; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

No digging is allowed before noon during digs when low tide occurs in the afternoon or evening.

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