North Beach clam digs on alternating days this week

Seven-day stretch of razor clam digging continues through Saturday

January 29, 2018 1:30 am

Seven days of razor clam digging began on Sunday, Jan. 28, on various coastal beaches, with alternating dig dates for North Beach locations.

State shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.

Four beaches have been open for digging on different days throughout seven-day period, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager with WDFW.

“Not every beach is open every day – so folks need to be sure they know if the beach they are headed for is open,” Ayres said. The best digging typically occurs one to two hours before low tide, said Ayres, noting that digging is not allowed at any beach before noon. The dig continues this week on the following beaches, dates and evening low tides:

Jan. 31, Wednesday, 6:33 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Feb. 1, Thursday, 7:17 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Feb. 2, Friday, 8:00 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Feb. 3, Saturday, 8:42 p.m.; -0.4; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Under state law, diggers 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. All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2017-18 fishing license around the state.

WDFW will review harvest levels after this opening and announce a tentative schedule for upcoming digs in the next few weeks, Ayres said.

For updates on upcoming openings, see WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/.