Coastal razor clam enthusiasts are really digging the winter razor clam season, and later in March come much longer days and a switch to morning low tide harvest opportunities.
“Digging has been relatively good this winter when conditions allow, and hopefully we’ll see more spring-like weather as we bid farewell to February and welcome March,” said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW’s recreational razor clam manager. “Once we receive final marine toxin test results for each series of digs then we’ll proceed with evening low tides during most of March and shift to morning low tides at the end of the month.”
The Department of Health (DOH) requires test samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels that must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Levels this winter have stayed well below the cutoff threshold and continue to remain that way.
Final approval usually occurs about a week before the start of each digging series. Details about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on the WDFW’s domoic acid webpage at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/basics/domoic-acid.
Not all coastal beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. Optimal digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.
Confirmed date during late afternoon/evening (noon to midnight only) low tides:
- Saturday, March 1: Low tide minus-0.1 feet, 7:15 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis.
Tentative dates during late afternoon/evening (noon to midnight only) low tides:
- Saturday, March 8: 0.6 feet, 2:13 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Mocrocks.
- Sunday, March 9: 0.4 feet, 4:18 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis.
- Monday, March 10: 0.2 feet, 5:10 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis.
- Tuesday, March 11: 0.1 feet, 5:52 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Mocrocks.
- Wednesday, March 12: 0.2 feet, 6:28 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Mocrocks.
- Thursday, March 13: Low tide 0.4 feet, 7 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis.
- Friday, March 14: 0.7 feet, 7:30 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis.
Tentative dates during late afternoon/evening (noon to midnight only) low tides:
- Wednesday, March 26: 0.0 feet, 5:08 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Mocrocks.
- Thursday, March 27: -0.1 feet, 5:50 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Mocrocks.
- Friday, March 28: 0.0 feet, 6:29 p.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis.
Tentative dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides:
- Saturday, March 29: -0.1 feet, 6:58 a.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis.
- Sunday, March 30: 0.8 feet, 7:43 a.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Mocrocks.
- Monday, March 31: -1.2 feet, 8:28 a.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Mocrocks.
- Tuesday, April 1: -1.3 feet, 9:17 a.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis.
- Wednesday, April 2: -1.0 feet, 10:09 a.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis.
- Thursday, April 3: -0.5 feet, 11:07 a.m., at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Mocrocks.
DOH requires test samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Refer to DOH’s website for more information at https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/shellfish/recreational-shellfish/illnesses/biotoxins/amnesic-shellfish-poisoning. Details about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/basics/domoic-acid.
On all open beaches, the daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition, to prevent waste.
With spring looming on the horizon, Washingtonians should consider buying 2025-2026 recreational licenses now especially if they plan to dig for razor clams in April. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW’s website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing, or from hundreds of license vendors around the state. Be sure to buy your license before current licenses expire after March 31. All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. WDFW recommends buying your license before visiting coastal beach communities.
As in past years, WDFW is asking beachgoers to avoid disturbing nesting snowy plovers – a small bird with gray wings and a white breast – by staying out of the dunes and posted areas along the southwest coast. Snowy plover nests are nearly invisible, and it is vital to give birds the space to live and thrive during nesting period, especially along the southern end on Twin Harbors – known as Midway Beach – and the north end of Long Beach.
Also avoid leaving leftover food or trash – which attracts predators – on the beach and picnic areas, keep pets on a leash, stay out of dunes, and avoid areas which are clearly marked with posted signs.
Through March 1, WDFW has provided 72 digging days since the season began on Oct. 3, and if marine toxins aren’t an issue it is likely that total will climb to more than 100 days once the season ends.
As of Feb. 1, at estimated 154,759 diggers have harvested 1,806,071 razor clams. The daily average per digger of clams harvested from Oct. 3 through Feb. 1 is 12.1 razor clams at Long Beach (12.6 in 2023-2024), 11.9 at Twin Harbors (12.4 in 2023-2024), 11.0 at Copalis (12.6 in 2023-2024) and 11.1 at Mocrocks (12.7 in 2023-2024).
More coastal razor clam digs are possible in April and early- to mid-May depending on the harvest levels achieved at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks beaches. Look for details on the WDFW website.
The 2024-2025 Razor Clam Management Plan is available on WDFW’s website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams#management. For more razor clam information, go to https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams.
Digs are beneficial for coastal towns
The most recent surveys taken during the 2023-2024 season generated an estimated revenue of $51.9 million by diggers (351,062 digger trips for 100 days of digging) who visited the small coastal communities.
The highest since occurred during the 2021-2022 season, which generated a robust revenue of $71.7 million by diggers (474,427 digger trips). According to the WDFW Razor Clam Management Plan nothing has come close to that figure since economic data was tallied during the 1997-1998 season.
Stores, tackle shops, restaurants and gas stations rely on these opportunities during the lean tourist times in autumn, winter, and spring to help boost their economy.
The 10-year average is $35.9 million for 70 digging dates with 307,041 digger trips. The 20-year average is $30.6 million for 57 digging dates with 297,174 digger trips.
Coastal razor clam-related activities
- The free Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival, organized by the Convention Center and City of Ocean Shores, is happening on March 21-23. There will be food vendors; exhibitors; live music; Dungeness crab meal (advanced ticket purchase recommended); a Sunday seafood brunch (advanced ticket purchase required); chowder cookoff and tasting passport available to sample and vote on Friday and Saturday; and a razor clam gun decorating contest. No razor clam digging will be allowed during those days because low tides aren’t conducive to digging. For details, go to https://tourismoceanshores.com/razor-clam-and-seafood-festival/.
- The Long Beach Peninsula Razor Clam & Shellfish Festival, hosted by the Long Beach Merchants Association, is April 26-27 at the Veterans Field in Long Beach. There will be food vendors; exhibitors; live music; clam digging lessons; restaurant chowder taste-off; amateur chowder cook-off; oyster shucking; crab plates; smallest and biggest clam contest. For details, go to https://www.longbeachmerchants.com/razor-clam-festival.
(Mark Yuasa is a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Communications Manager. He also was the outdoor reporter at The Seattle Times for 28 years.)
