February 28, 2017
Action: The sport clam fishing seasons on several public beaches will be modified based on results from population, harvest and effort assessments.
Effective Dates: March 1, 2017, until further notice.
Species affected: All clams.
Location: Indian Island County Park, Oyster Reserves - North Bay, Penrose State Park, Port Gamble Heritage Park, Potlatch State Park, Potlatch DNR tidelands, Twanoh State Park, and Quilcene Tidelands.
Reason for action: Surveys at Indian Island County Park, Potlatch State Park, Potlatch DNR tidelands, Port Gamble Heritage Park and Twanoh State Park indicate that the clam population has increased, allowing for longer seasons.
Surveys at North Bay indicate that the clam population has increased slightly, but a shift in season timing is recommended to reduce user group conflicts and increased pressure on infrastructure at the access site.
The existing hours of darkness harvest restriction at Quilcene Bay Tidelands is no longer necessary; there is no conservation or management need to limit the hours of harvest.
Other information: The following are the season openings and closings for the identified beaches:
Indian Island County Park/Lagoon Beach: From the jetty boundary with Port Townsend Ship Canal east to the beach access stairs on Flagler Road near milepost 4 open Aug. 15 through Sept. 30 only.
Oyster Reserves - North Bay: State-owned oyster reserves and contiguous state-owned tidelands south and east of the powerline crossing are open Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 only.
Penrose Point State Park: Open March 1 through April 30 only.
Port Gamble Heritage Park Tidelands: Open year-round.
Potlatch DNR tidelands: Open April 1 through Aug. 31 only.
Potlatch State Park: Open April 1 through Aug. 31 only.
Twanoh State Park: Open July 15 through Sept. 30 only.
Quilcene Tidelands: Open April 1 through Dec. 31, with no restrictions on hours of harvest.
Information Contact: Camille Speck, WDFW Port Townsend Office, (360) 302-3030 ext. 313
Effective Dates: March 1, 2017, until further notice.
Species affected: All clams.
Location: Indian Island County Park, Oyster Reserves - North Bay, Penrose State Park, Port Gamble Heritage Park, Potlatch State Park, Potlatch DNR tidelands, Twanoh State Park, and Quilcene Tidelands.
Reason for action: Surveys at Indian Island County Park, Potlatch State Park, Potlatch DNR tidelands, Port Gamble Heritage Park and Twanoh State Park indicate that the clam population has increased, allowing for longer seasons.
Surveys at North Bay indicate that the clam population has increased slightly, but a shift in season timing is recommended to reduce user group conflicts and increased pressure on infrastructure at the access site.
The existing hours of darkness harvest restriction at Quilcene Bay Tidelands is no longer necessary; there is no conservation or management need to limit the hours of harvest.
Other information: The following are the season openings and closings for the identified beaches:
Indian Island County Park/Lagoon Beach: From the jetty boundary with Port Townsend Ship Canal east to the beach access stairs on Flagler Road near milepost 4 open Aug. 15 through Sept. 30 only.
Oyster Reserves - North Bay: State-owned oyster reserves and contiguous state-owned tidelands south and east of the powerline crossing are open Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 only.
Penrose Point State Park: Open March 1 through April 30 only.
Port Gamble Heritage Park Tidelands: Open year-round.
Potlatch DNR tidelands: Open April 1 through Aug. 31 only.
Potlatch State Park: Open April 1 through Aug. 31 only.
Twanoh State Park: Open July 15 through Sept. 30 only.
Quilcene Tidelands: Open April 1 through Dec. 31, with no restrictions on hours of harvest.
Information Contact: Camille Speck, WDFW Port Townsend Office, (360) 302-3030 ext. 313