WDFW approves eight days of coastal razor clam digs beginning April 26; final season digs planned from May 10 to 15

OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed eight days of razor clam digs on coastal beaches beginning Saturday, April 26.

“It felt a lot like spring during this past tide series with sunny days and low surf,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW’s recreational razor clam manager. “We’re starting to see a lot of soft sand accumulating on beaches, increasing the likelihood of getting your vehicle stuck. Be careful when driving on and off the beach approaches and stay below the high tide line where the sand is harder packed.”

Not all coastal beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. Most successful digging occurs between one to two hours before the listed time of low tide.

The following confirmed digs April 26 to May 3 will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) showed razor clams are safe to eat.

Confirmed dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides:

• April 26, Saturday, 5:53 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• April 27, Sunday, 6:40 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 28, Monday, 7:25 a.m.; -2.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 29, Tuesday, 8:12 a.m.; -2.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• April 30, Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.; -2.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• May 1, Thursday, 9:52 a.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• May 2, Friday, 10:47 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging extended until 2 p.m.)
• May 3, Saturday, 11:48 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging extended until 2 p.m.)

Tentative dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides:

• May 10, Saturday, 5:58 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• May 11, Sunday, 6:32 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• May 12, Monday, 7:05 a.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• May 13, Tuesday, 7:38 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• May 14, Wednesday, 8:13 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• May 15, Thursday, 8:49 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

DOH requires test samples for marine toxins and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Final approval usually occurs about a week or less before the start of each digging series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.

On all open beaches, the daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition, to prevent waste.

Now that spring has arrived, Washingtonians must have a valid 2025-2026 license. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW’s licensing website and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. All diggers age 15 or older must have a fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach.

As in past years, WDFW is asking beachgoers to avoid disturbing nesting snowy plovers – a small bird with gray wings and a white breast – by staying out of the dunes and posted areas along the southwest coast. Snowy plover nests are nearly invisible, and it is vital to give birds the space to live and thrive during the nesting period, especially along the southern end of Twin Harbors – known as Midway Beach – and north of Second Avenue in Ocean City to the north end of Copalis Beach and the north end of Long Beach.

Avoid leaving leftover food or trash – which attracts predators – on the beach and picnic areas, keep pets on a leash, stay out of dunes, and avoid areas which are clearly marked with posted signs.

The Razor Clam Management Plan is available on WDFW’s website. For more information, refer to WDFW's razor clam webpage.