OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has given final approval to the first nine razor clam digs of the 2021-22 season, with early-morning digs kicking off beginning this Friday.

Shellfish managers with WDFW approved the digs after results of marine toxin tests showed clams at all open beaches were safe for human consumption. The state Department of Health finalized the results early Monday.

“Getting the all-clear from DOH was great news, and we’re excited for everyone to get back out to the beaches,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager with WDFW. “We’ll keep monitoring domoic acid levels in cooperation with DOH, but so far, we’re optimistic that it will be a great digging season.”

With COVID still prevalent across Washington, diggers are asked to follow state and local health guidelines, and to be respectful of the communities and local residents they may visit while clamming.

The following digs were approved, along with the low tides and beaches. The most successful digging occurs between one to two hours before the listed time of low tide.

A.M. tides

Friday, 4:30 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Saturday, 5:22 a.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Sunday, 6:06 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Monday, 6:45 a.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 7:21 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 7:54 a.m.; +0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

P.M. tides

Thursday, Sept. 23, 8:58 p.m.; +0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Friday, Sept. 24, 9:36 p.m.; +0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Saturday, Sept. 25, 10:15 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Increased limits

With strong razor clam populations estimated along much of the coast, all open beaches (Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis) have increased limits through the end of 2021, with diggers allowed to keep 20 clams instead of the usual 15. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 20 clams they dig.

To learn more about razor clam abundance, population densities at various beaches, people can visit here. The WDFW has also tentatively scheduled dozens of additional digging dates in 2021, and details of those dates can be found at here. All tentative dates are dependent on final marine toxin testing, which usually occurs about a week or less prior to each set of openings.

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

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 to an annual combination fishing license, are available from WDFW’s licensing website here, and from hundreds of license vendors around the state.