POTLATCH BEACHES
270440

SHELLFISH TYPES & OPENINGS/CLOSURES

Potlatch State Park and Potlatch DNR

Clams open April 1st through June 30th
Oysters open April 1st  through June 30th

Potlatch State Park has been enhanced with oysters

Potlatch State Park and Potlatch DNR are adjacent public beaches owned by different state agencies. Shellfish seasons and regulations are identical for both beaches.

HARVEST PROFILE

Potlatch State Park has over a mile of tidelands, but not all of it provides productive clam digging. The stretch of beach that is close to the highway receives the most effort and clams are less abundant than in areas of the beach away from the highway. The best spot for butter clams is in front of the main parking area in the mid-low tidal zone. Manila clams and native littleneck clams can be found primarily in the mid-high tidal zone. The best place for littleneck clams is at the east end of the park near the western border of Potlatch DNR. Varnish clams and eastern softshell clams are also found at Potlatch State Park, usually in the mid-high tidal zone.

Potlatch DNR is an excellent beach for butter clams. The best digging is in the mid-low tidal zone in sand and mixed sand and gravel. Native littleneck clams can be found with the butter clams in the mid-low tidal zone as well as higher on the beach in the mid-high tidal zone. There are some good spots for Manila clams in the mid-high tidal zone near the creek channels that run out of the marshland above the beach. Varnish clams and eastern softshell clams are also found at Potlatch DNR, usually in the mid-high tidal zone.

Potlatch State Park is an excellent beach for oysters. There are extensive oyster beds near the parking area and just north of Enetai Creek (also the site of the Skokomish Fisheries Department fish trap). Potlatch DNR is a good beach for oysters, but they are more abundant at Potlatch State Park.

Harvest Area Map

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Oyster information

DIRECTION TO SITE

From the south (Shelton and Olympia) travel north on Highway 101 through Shelton and continue for about 12 miles. Look for the state park signs and entrance on the right hand side of the road just after Highway 101 reaches the shore of Hood Canal.

From the east on Highway 3 (Bremerton, Belfair) or the south on Highway 16 (Tacoma) take Highway 3 to Belfair. Continue south through Belfair and take the Highway 106 exit (a right turn) and continue for about 22 miles to the intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 106. Turn right on Highway 101 and proceed for another three miles to Potaltch State Park. The park entrance is on the right and is well marked on the highway.

From the north on Highway 101 (Quilcene, Port Angeles) travel south through the town of Hoodsport and continue for about another two and a half miles to Potlatch State Park. The park entrance is on the left and is well marked on the highway.

Potlatch DNR is adjacent to, and just east of Potlatch State Park. A line of carsonite (fiberglass) posts marks the boundary between the two beaches. Access to Potlatch DNR is via the main parking area at Potlatch State Park. Potlatch DNR is about three quarters of a mile southeast of the parking area at Potlatch State Park.

Trespassing and parking restrictions are being enforced. The ONLY land access to the public beach at Potlatch State Park and Potlatch DNR is now through the Park's main parking lot.

PARKING INFORMATION

Parking is PROHIBITED at all times along the shoulder between milepost 335.07 (entrance to Potlatch State Park) and south to milepost 335.72 (approximately where Hood Canal is no longer visible from Highway 101). Also, the strip of land between the highway turnout and the public beach is privately owned; there is no longer ANY access to the public beach from the highway turnout.

FACILITIES
Potlatch State Park has restrooms, showers, potable water, camping and picnic areas. There are no facilities at Potlatch DNR.

FUN FACTS/OTHER INFORMATION

Beach information last updated: March 02, 2012 @ 2:42pm