Tag: Ocean Shores Clam 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.