Clam Digging: Fill your Buckets for the New Year!

Razor clam diggers can mark the year’s end with digs scheduled Dec. 30 and 31 at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches in Ocean Shores.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the two-day dig after marine toxin tests confirmed the clams on those two beaches are safe to eat.

“Diggers can fill their buckets just in time for the new year,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for WDFW.

The best digging typically occurs one to two hours before low tide, said Ayres, noting that digging is not allowed at any open beach before noon.

The upcoming dig is approved on the following beaches, dates and evening low tides:

• Dec. 30, Friday, 7:22 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks
• Dec. 31, Saturday; 7:57 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Copalis, Mocrocks

Book your room now for a stay at The Polynesian.   If you can’t make it for New Years, there are 19 additional dig dates scheduled now in January and February.  And, be sure to ask about seasonal specials with rates starting at $87 per night.

Proposed razor clam digs, along with evening low tides and beaches

 

Jan. 13, Friday 7:17 p.m. -1.4 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Jan. 14, Saturday 7:59 p.m. -1.0 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Jan. 15, Sunday 8:40 p.m. -0.4 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Jan. 27, Friday 6:26 p.m. -0.5 feet Copalis Jan. 28, Saturday 7:01 p.m. -0.6 feet Copalis Jan. 29, Sunday 7:37 p.m. -0.5 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Jan. 30, Monday 8:13 p.m. -0.3 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Jan. 31, Tuesday 8:50 p.m. 0.2 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Feb. 7, Tuesday 3:53 p.m. -0.1 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Feb. 8, Wednesday 4:46 p.m. -0.6 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Feb. 9, Thursday 5:33 p.m. -0.9 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Feb. 10, Friday 6:16 p.m. -1.0 feet Mocrocks Feb. 11, Saturday 6:57 p.m. -0.8 feet Mocrocks Feb. 12, Sunday 7:34 p.m. -0.5 feet Mocrocks Feb. 24, Friday 5:21 p.m. -0.1 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Feb. 25, Saturday 5:58 p.m. -0.3 feet Copalis, Mocrocks Feb. 26, Sunday 6:34 p.m. -0.4 feet Copalis, Mocrocks

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.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2016-17 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 on WDFW’s website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.