Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife sent this bulletin at 10/15/2024 11:05 AM PDT
Having trouble viewing this email?View it as a Web page. Mocrocks, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis to host digsWashington 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 from Oct. 15-21. “It was a great first tide series of the season (Oct. 3-7) with soft wind, calm waves, and dry skies that resulted in mostly limits for those who came out,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “We are hoping this next tide series will bring similar success with lower and earlier tides that should allow for daylight digging opportunity the first few days.” The set of digs at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, and Copalis on Oct. 15-21 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 reopen for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. 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. In early fall the beaches still have a lot of sand built up, which can make beach driving hazardous. WDFW asks diggers to drive carefully on the uppermost part of the hard-packed sand, avoid wet sand and not to create congestion leading on and off the beach by parking on the approaches. For more information on these digs, go toWDFW'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:
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:
Enter your razor clamming photos!Are you a clam gun guru or a shovel superstar? It’s time to put your razor clamming prowess on display! Join the Razor Clam Face-Off and show off your skills.Snap a photo of your epic clam-digging adventure andsubmit it on our site using the hashtag for your team, #TeamClamGun or #TeamClamShovel, from the “Promotion” dropdown menu. Every week, we’ll feature a standout photo on our social media. The team with the most submissions will win bragging rights. So, grab your license and gear, hit the beach, and let’s dig in! The gear Getting started digging razor clams can be pretty straightforward. Here’s what you’ll need:
Licenses All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2024-25 fishing license to harvest razor clams. Licenses range from a three-day razor clam license (starting at $9.70) to an annual combination fishing license or Fish Washington license. They are available from WDFW online and from some 600 license vendors around the state. Trout Derby is still on As part of your razor clamming adventure, you can also participate in our 2024 Trout Derby as you travel to and from the coast. The annual statewide derby is open at more than 100 stocked lakes and runs through Oct. 31. Over 80 participating businesses are offering hundreds of donated prizes valued at more than $42,000. Twenty additional tagged prize fish, donated by Pacific County Anglers for the Dennis Company, have been placed recently in Western, Snag, and Black lakes. For more information on the derby and to find a lake, visit our derby information page. |