Wisconsin’s Second Razor Clam Dig Starts Nov. 26 at One Beach, Others Follow
OutdoorHub 11.21.12
The next evening razor clam dig will get under way Monday (Nov. 26) at Twin Harbors beach, then expand to include openings at Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks later in the week.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the dig after marine toxin tests at all four beaches confirmed the clams are safe to eat.
No digging will be allowed at any of those beaches until after noon.
Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, advises that diggers dress for the weather and carry a lantern or strong flashlight during the upcoming openings.
“There was some fairly strong wind and rain during the dig earlier this month, so we recommend that diggers prepare for more of the same,” Ayres said.
The dig at Twin Harbors will run six days, extending through Saturday (Dec. 1). Long Beach will open for digging Thursday (Nov. 29), followed by Copalis and Mocrocks on Friday (Nov. 30). All beaches will close to digging at midnight Saturday (Dec. 1).
Digging days and evening low tides for those beaches are:
- Nov. 26, Monday, 5:16 p.m., -0.1 ft, Twin Harbors
- Nov. 27, Tuesday, 5:52 p.m., -0.3 ft., Twin Harbors
- Nov. 28, Wednesday, 6:27 p.m., -0.4 ft., Twin Harbors
- Nov. 29, Thursday, 7:01 p.m., -0.4 ft., Twin Harbors, Long Beach
- Nov. 30, Friday, 7:35 p.m., -0.3 ft., Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks
- Dec. 1, Saturday, 8:10 p.m., -0.1 ft., Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks
Ayres noted that the best digging occurs one to two hours prior to low tide.
Clam diggers are limited to 15 razor clams per day, and are required to keep the first 15 clams they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.
All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2012-13 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW’s website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.
Information about beach locations and additional digs proposed in the weeks ahead is available on WDFW’s website at http://goo.gl/ooxEO.
