WDFW approves nine days of coastal razor clam digs beginning March 26; more digs planned through May 15

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

“This next tide series will have a bit of everything with the last afternoon to evening tides of the season and the beginning of the spring morning digs,” said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW’s recreational razor clam manager. “Morning tides usually bring new participants and larger crowds, so we want to remind beachgoers to respect the 25-mph speed limit and only drive on the hard-packed sand near the high tide line to keep diggers safe and avoid disturbing clam beds and snowy plover nests." 

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 on 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.

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 and two hours before the listed time of low tide.

The following confirmed digs March 26 through April 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 evening (noon to midnight only) low tides March 26-28:

• March 26, Wednesday, 5:08 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• March 27, Thursday, 5:50 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• March 28, Friday, 6:29 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Confirmed dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides March 29-April 3:

• March 29, Saturday, 6:58 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• March 30, Sunday, 7:43 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• March 31, Monday, 8:28 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 1, Tuesday, 9:17 a.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• April 2, Wednesday, 10:09 a.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• April 3, Thursday, 11:07 a.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Tentative dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides April 12-18:

• April 12, Saturday, 6:57 a.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 13, Sunday, 7:29 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• April 14, Monday, 8:00 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• April 15, Tuesday, 8:33 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 16, Wednesday, 9:08 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 17, Thursday, 9:48 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• April 18, Friday, 10:33 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Tentative dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides April 26-May 3:

• 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 10-15:

• 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. Refer to DOH’s website for more information.

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.

Washingtonians should consider buying 2025-2026 recreational licenses now especially if they plan to dig for razor clams in April. Be sure to buy a 2025-2026 license before current licenses expire on March 31. All diggers 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW’s licensing website and from hundreds of license vendors around the state.

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

WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.