PORT TOWNSEND SHIP CANAL/PORTAGE CANAL
250470

SHELLFISH TYPES & OPENINGS/CLOSURES

Clams open January 1st through July 31st
Oysters open January 1st through July 31st

Proposed clam and oyster seasons for 2013:

Clams Open January 1 through June 30

Oysters Open January 1 through June 30

Port Townsend Ship Canal (Portage Beach) shares a boundary with South Indian Island County Park. This boundary is roughly marked by the jetty at the south end of the Port Townsend Ship Canal. Harvesting seasons may be different on these beaches. See the beach map photo below of the approximate boundary between Port Townsend Ship Canal tidelands and South Indian Island County Park.

HARVEST PROFILE

Port Townsend Ship Canal/Portage Canal is a great beach for large butter clams. Ten pound weight limits of less than 25 butter clams are common. Harvesters are advised to bring a scale when harvesting butter clams on this beach to avoid going over the ten pound limit. The most productive clam digging on this beach is on the north end of the beach. There are also pockets of horse clams and good numbers of big native littleneck clams.

Harvest Area Map

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

DIRECTION TO SITE

To reach the site from the west on Highway 104 take the Chimacum/Port Townsend/Quilcene exit (a left hand turn) and travel north on Center Road for about 10 miles to Chimacum. Go straight through the four-way stop and continue about 2 miles to Port Hadlock. Turn right onto Oak Bay Road and proceed for one mile to Flagler Road. There is a sign at this turn for Indian Island. Take a left and continue for about a mile until you cross the Indian Island Bridge. Immediately after crossing the bridge take the first right into the parking area for access to Port Townsend Ship Canal/Portage Canal tidelands. The north boundary of this beach is north of the bridge and is marked by the Indian Island Naval Reservation fence. There is absoulutely no trespassing allowed north of the fence.

To reach the site from the east on Highway 104 from the Hood Canal Bridge take the Port Townsend/Port Ludlow exit (a right hand turn) and travel north on Beaver Valley Road (Highway 19) for about 7 miles to Chimacum. Take a right at the four-way stop and continue about 2 miles to Port Hadlock. Turn right onto Oak Bay road and proceed for one mile to Flagler Road. There is a sign at this turn for Indian Island. Take a left and continue for about a mile until you cross the Indian Island Bridge. Immediately after crossing the bridge take the first right into the county park and parking area for access to Port Townsend Ship Canal/Portage Canal tidelands.

Port Townsend Ship Canal/Portage Canal tidelands can also be accessed from South Indian Island County Park. This access is located about a half mile south of the bridge on the right side of the road. The access road is marked by a Jefferson County Parks sign. There is a parking lot at the end of the road. The boundary between South Indian Island County Park and Port Townsend Ship Canal tidelands is just north of the landward end of the jetty at the south end of the Ship Canal. See beach map photo for the approximate south boundary of Port Townsend Ship Canal. Because the Ship Canal tidelands may be open for clam harvest when South Indian Island County Park is closed, it is important to know where the approximate boundary is.

FACILITIES
There is a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a covered cooking area near the parking area by the bridge.

FUN FACTS/OTHER INFORMATION
In 1915 Indian Island was isolated by dredging of Chimacum Portage to make the Port Townsend Ship Canal/Portage Canal. In 1952 the Indian Island Portage Bridge was built to replace the ferry to mainland.

P.T. Ship Canal from below access looking north

P.T. Ship Canal from below access looking south

Access and parking for P.T. Ship Canal

Beach information last updated: December 05, 2012 @ 1:50pm