OLYMPIA — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers Tuesday confirmed the next round of coastal razor clam digging can proceed as planned from Thursday through April 12 with an increased daily limit of 20 clams per person.
“Now that we have the toxicity closure behind us and are turning the corner into spring morning digs, we’re looking forward to better digging conditions and larger sacks of clams due to an increased bag limit,” said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW coastal shellfish biologist.
On all open beaches — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis — the daily limit from Thursday through May 14 is 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, 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. The most successful digging occurs within two hours before the listed time of low tide.
Since low tides for tentative digs on May 11-14 are near or after noon, digging will be allowed from 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. for those specific days only. Digging is also extended until 1 p.m. on April 12.
The following digs during morning low tides will proceed as scheduled:
• Thursday, 7:34 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Friday, 8:10 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• Saturday, 8:48 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (Long Beach Razor Clam Festival).
• Sunday, 9:29 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (Long Beach Razor Clam Festival).
• Monday, 10:15 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• Tuesday, 11:09 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• April 12, 12:12 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging extended until 1 p.m.).
Future tentative digs during morning low tides are scheduled (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. on May 11-14 only):
• April 19, 6:44 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• April 20, 7:28 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• April 21, 8:09 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• April 22, 8:50 a.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• April 23, 9:31 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• April 24, 10:14 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• April 25, 11:01 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• May 4, 6:32 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• May 5, 7:10 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• May 6, 7:49 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• May 7, 8:31 a.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• May 8, 9:15 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
• May 9, 10:03 a.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
• May 10, 10:57 a.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
May 11, 11:56 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. only).
• May 12, 12:59 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. only).
• May 13, 2:03 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. only).
• May 14, 3:03 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (digging allowed 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. only).
