Razor clam enthusiasts can ring in the new year with the recent approval of evening razor clam digs approved by the Department of Fish and Wildlife for Jan. 4-6 at Mocrocks and Copalis beaches, as well as at Twin Harbors to the south, which opens two days before the North Beach areas.
Dan Ayres, state coastal shellfish manager, recommends that diggers hit the beach about an hour or two before low tide for the best results.
“Diggers should come prepared with good lighting devices and always keep an eye on the surf, particularly at this time of year when the best low tides come after dark,” Ayres said.
The upcoming digs are approved on the following beaches, dates, and evening low tides:
• Jan. 4, Friday; 5:46 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Jan. 5, Saturday; 6:23 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
• Jan. 6, Sunday; 6:59 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Ayres said the department has also tentatively scheduled a second dig in January, pending the results of another round of marine toxin tests. If those tests are favorable, that dig will run Jan. 17-21, and will include the first dig of the season at Kalaloch.
Proposed digs include:
Jan. 17, Thursday; 3:39 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Twin Harbors
Jan. 18, Friday; 4:30 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Twin Harbors
Jan. 19, Saturday; 5:18 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan. 20, Sunday; 6:05 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan. 21, Monday; 6:51 p.m.; -1.8 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday)
Feb. 1, Friday; 4:48 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 2; Saturday; 5:28 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 3, Sunday; 6:04 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 15, Friday; 3:11 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 16, Saturday; 4:08 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 17, Sunday; 4:59 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Feb. 18, Monday; 5:46 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (Presidents Day Holiday)
Feb. 19, Tuesday; 6:31 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Twin Harbors
Feb. 20, Wednesday; 7:14 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Twin Harbors
Feb. 21, Thursday; 7:56 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Twin Harbors
More information on planned digs can be found online at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/. All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2018-19 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.
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.
