Razor Clam Dig Approved for April 21-23 in Washington
OutdoorHub 04.16.12
State fishery managers approved a series of morning razor clam digs April 21-23 at several ocean beaches after the latest round of marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.
With the state’s razor clam season nearing an end, Long Beach and Twin Harbors will be open for digging all three days, while Copalis and Mocrocks will be open on Monday, April 23 only.
No digging will be allowed on any beaches after noon.
“We have just enough clams available for harvest at Copalis and Mocrocks to offer one more weekday dig,” said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “We’ll see where we are with the other beaches after this opening.”
Copalis Beach lies south of the Copalis River and includes Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis. Mocrocks Beach is north of the Copalis River and includes Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Seabrook, Pacific Beach and Moclips.
Proposed beach openings for upcoming digs, along with morning low tides, are:
- April 21, Saturday (7:28 a.m., -0.3 feet): Long Beach, Twin Harbors only
- April 22, Sunday (8:01 a.m., -0.4 feet): Long Beach and Twin Harbors only
- April 23, Monday (8:35 a.m., -0.4 feet): Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
Under state law, 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.
Diggers need a valid 2012-13 fishing license to participate in the upcoming opening, since all 2011-12 licenses expired March 31. The exception is young people under age 15, who may fish for free.
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.
