Abundant Razor Clams Allow More Days for Digging!
State shellfish managers have tentatively scheduled additional razor clam digs on Washington ocean beaches for dates in October, November, and December.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) divides the harvest areas into five major management zones. Copalis Beach just to the north of Ocean Shores has 17 scheduled days from October 29 to December 28. Mockrocks Beach, a further north, has 16 days scheduled.
Sometimes digs are canceled with little notice if toxins or other issues arise with the shellfish population. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) typically announces whether a dig will go forward about a week before the opening, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the department.
“Abundant razor clam populations on all beaches, except Kalaloch, are allowing for more digging opportunity this year,” said Ayres. “But, it is important that razor clam diggers be sure to only dig where it is allowed.”
Razor clam diggers can find detailed beach maps that indicate locations and local names for beaches on WDFW’s website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams#beachmaps.
Be sure to double-check with the Department of Fish and Wildlife schedule before you make a special trip.
Razor clams are found primarily on the intertidal coastal beaches (those that are exposed at low tide) from a +3 foot level to a -2 foot tide level.
Tentative Clam Digging Schedule
| Oct 26 | Sat | 5:59pm | 0.0 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Oct 27 | Sun | 6:47pm | -0.8 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mockrocks |
| Oct 28 | Mon | 7:33pm | -1.2 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Oct 29 | Tue | 8:18pm | -1.4 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mockrocks |
| Oct 30 | Wed | 9:03pm | -1.2 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Oct 31 | Thu | 9:50pm | -0.8 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mockrocks |
| Nov 1 | Fri | 10:38pm | -0.2 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Nov 11 | Mon | 5:51pm | 0.1 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Nov 12 | Tue | 6:27pm | -0.3 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mockrocks |
| Nov 13 | Wed | 7:03pm | -0.5 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Nov 14 | Thu | 7:41pm | -0.6 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mockrocks |
| Nov 15 | Fri | 8:22pm | -0.5 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Nov 16 | Sat | 9:08pm | -0.3 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mockrocks |
| Nov 17 | Sun | 9:59pm | -0.1 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Nov 24 | Sun | 4:47pm | -0.4 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Nov 25 | Mon | 5:34pm | -1.0 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mockrocks |
| Nov 26 | Tue | 6:18pm | -1.3 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Nov 27 | Wed | 7:02pm | -1.4 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mockrocks |
| Nov 28 | Thu | 7:44pm | -1.2 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Nov 29 | Fri | 8:29pm | -0.7 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mockrocks |
| Nov 30 | Sat | 9:10pm | -0.2 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Dec 10 | Tue | 5:28pm | -0.2 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks |
| Dec 11 | Wed | 6:06pm | -0.6 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Dec 12 | Thu | 6:45pm | -0.9 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks |
| Dec 13 | Fri | 7:26pm | -1.0 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Dec 14 | Sat | 8:08pm | -1.0 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks |
| Dec 15 | Sun | 8:53pm | -0.8 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Dec 16 | Mon | 9:41pm | -0.4 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks |
| Dec 23 | Mon | 4:35pm | -0.4 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks |
| Dec 26 | Thur | 6:47pm | -1.1 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Dec 27 | Fri | 7:26pm | -0.9 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks |
| Dec 28 | Sat | 8:05pm | -0.6 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis |
| Dec 29 | Sun | 8:43pm | -0.2 | Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks |
State law allows clam diggers to keep 15 clams. They must be the first 15 dug which means clammers may not throw back clams that are too small or that they cut through while digging. Each person’s clams must be kept in a separate container, this makes it easier for law enforcement to ensure each person is obeying the 15 clam limit.
Do you need a license to go clam digging?
Yes. Interested diggers can purchase licenses online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. If you need it sooner than 10 days you must go in-person to a licensing vendor. Ace Hardware is the only vendor inside Ocean Shores and tends to get very busy during clam digs. Clammers should try to buy a license before arriving. Find more license vendors here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors.
Razor clam digging equipment.
Most importantly you will need something to dig with and something to store your clams in. Clam diggers also need to prepare for the weather which will probably be damp, cold, and windy.