Morning razor clam digs proposed for March, April; Kalaloch remains closed

OLYMPIA - Fishery managers have tentatively scheduled three razor clam digs on morning tides in late March, with additional digging opportunities planned for April.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will open four beaches for clam digging if the Washington Department of Health certifies that razor clam samples tested for marine toxins are safe to eat.

If approved, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks will open March 27-29, while Long Beach and Copalis will open March 28-29 only. All digging on those beaches must be completed by noon.

Even though thousands of diggers came out for the February opener, enough clams remain for several more digs, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for WDFW.

"The weather really cooperated during February's opener and most people got their limits," Ayres said. "Even better, we have sufficient clams left to offer folks more digging opportunities this spring."

Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Park will remain closed because additional test digging showed the clams have not grown to harvestable size, Ayres said.

Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2008 Washington state annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination license is still valid. Another option is a razor-clam only license available in annual or three-day only versions. Descriptions of the various licensing options are available on the WDFW website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

Ayres said more digs will likely be announced following the April openers. "There's a good chance we'll have enough clams to offer additional digging opportunities on some beaches in May," he said.

Tentative opening dates and morning low tides in March are:

• Friday, March 27 (7:49 a.m. 0.0 ft.) Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Saturday, March 28 (8:29 a.m. -0.4 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Sunday, March 29 (9:12 a.m. -0.6 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

In addition, WDFW has tentatively scheduled two digs in April:

• Friday, April 10 (7:45 a.m., -0.7 ft.) Twin Harbors

• Saturday, April 11 (8:25 a.m., -0.7 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Sunday, April 12 (9:05 a.m., -0.5 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Saturday, April 25 (7:27 a.m., -1.3 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Sunday, April 26 (8:10 a.m., -1.6 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Monday, April 27 (8:55 a.m., -1.7 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks.