The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has released a tentative schedule for the fall razor clam season set to begin in early October. The first dig is planned for Oct. 11.
According to a press release, the department estimates the total razor clam population on most of Washington’s beaches has increased “significantly” from last season, which means more days of digging this season. The exception is Long Beach, an area that is recovering after a decline in clam survival due to low salinity in winter 2017.
“The good news is that future digging opportunities look really great, with some opportunity even at Long Beach,” said Dan Ayres, a WDFW coastal shellfish manager. “This is shaping up to be a great season for digging on the coast.”
Final approval of all scheduled openings will depend on results of marine toxin tests, which are usually conducted about a week before a dig is scheduled to begin.
“We’re releasing a tentative schedule to give people plenty of time to make plans to go digging this fall,” said Ayres.
State shellfish managers are also seeking public input on management options, including scheduling for spring digs. Comments on the spring digs can be sent via email to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov.
A summary of last season and an overview of the recently completed razor clam stock assessment is available in WDFW’s 2018-19 Razor Clam Management Plan, online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/seasons_set.html.
Proposed razor clam digs through December are listed below, along with evening low tides and beaches:
Oct. 11, Thursday, 8:58 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 12, Friday, 9:41 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 13, Saturday, 10:26 p.m.; +0.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 25, Thursday, 7:55 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 26, Friday, 8:36 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 27, Saturday, 9:19 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 28, Sunday, 10:08 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 8, Thursday, 6:57 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 9, Friday, 7:36 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 10, Saturday, 8:15 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 11, Sunday, 8:56 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 22, Thursday, 5:55 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 23, Friday, 6:36 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 24, Saturday, 7:20 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Nov. 25, Sunday, 8:05 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 6, Thursday, 6:01 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 7, Friday, 6:40 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 8, Saturday, 7:16 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 9, Sunday, 7:53 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 20, Thursday, 4:51 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 21, Friday, 5:35 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 22, Saturday, 6:20 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 23, Sunday, 7:05 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Twin Harbors, Copalis
WDFW is working with the staff at Olympic National Park to assess possible digging dates on Kalaloch beach, said Ayres.
For more information, visit WDFW’s website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/.
