Washington Coast Begins Week of Clam Digs, April 12 Through 18

Published 04/10/25 at 6:49 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Copalis, Washington) – Those who love razor clams will love the next week on the Washington coastline. (Photo WDFW)

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recently announced it has confirmed seven days of razor clam digs on coastal beaches beginning Saturday, April 12. They take place at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis.

It's been a good start to the season, said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW’s recreational razor clam manager, especially the morning digs.

“Hopefully that trend will continue with this next set of April digs. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to buy a new license for the 2025-26 harvest year.”

Diggers are advised to confirm that their chosen beach is open for digging before heading out, as not all coastal beaches will be accessible for every dig. The best times for successful digging are typically one to two hours before the low tide listed for each day.

Copalis / Washington State Parks

The following confirmed digs April 12-18 will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) showed razor clams are safe to eat.

Confirmed dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides:

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

On open beaches, diggers are allowed a maximum of 15 clams per day. Each individual must store their clams in a separate container and keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition, to minimize waste.

More proposed digs are coming. Tentative dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides:

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.)

Tentative dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides:

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

“DOH requires test samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging,” said WDFW. “Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Final approval usually occurs about a week or less before the start of each digging series.”

Along the Oregon coast, razor clamming is closed from Lincoln City through to the California border because of biotoxins. It is open from Neskowin to northward to the Washington coast border.

With spring in full swing, Washington residents must hold a valid 2025-26 recreational fishing license.

Also, WDFW said to be on the lookout for nesting snowy plovers: the small birds with gray wings and white breasts. WDFW said to keep clear of dunes and marked areas along the southwest Washington coast. Key nesting areas include the southern end of Twin Harbors (Midway Beach), areas north of Second Avenue in Ocean City, and regions extending to the north end of Copalis Beach and Long Beach.

See the WDFW clamming page.

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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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