State Department of Fish & Wildlife news release – Friday, Jan. 13, 2011

First razor clam dig of 2012 gets nod at four ocean beaches

 OLYMPIA – The first razor clam dig of the new year will proceed on schedule Jan. 20-21 at four ocean beaches.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the evening dig at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches after marine toxin tests showed that the clams on those beaches are safe to eat.

No digging will be allowed at any beach before noon.

“The clams we’ve been seeing are in very good condition, with more fat than usual,” said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. “That makes them especially good for frying.”

The evening low tide Friday, Jan. 20 is at 4:28 p.m. (-0.5 feet) and on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 5:17 p.m. (-0.8 feet).

Ayres recommends that diggers hit the beach one to two hours before evening low tide for best results.

Kalaloch Beach will remain closed until April, due to a low abundance of razor clams. The National Park Service, which manages that beach in cooperation with WDFW, has announced plans to open Kalaloch for a razor clam dig April 7-9. 

At the other four beaches, diggers 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 2011-12 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licensing options range from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, which can be purchased on WDFW’s website (https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov) and from license vendors around the state.