WDFW approves razor clam dig at Mocrocks, extends Long Beach dig through March

OLYMPIA - State shellfish managers have approved a four-day razor clam dig at Mocrocks and have extended an opening at Long Beach through March 31. They also released a list of proposed digs later in March on two ocean beaches.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved an opening March 5-8 at Mocrocks Beach after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat. This is the second opening of the year at Mocrocks.

The upcoming dig at Mocrocks is scheduled on the following dates and evening low tides:

• March 5, Saturday, 3:53 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Mocrocks
• March 6, Sunday, 4:40 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Mocrocks
• March 7, Monday, 5:23 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Mocrocks
• March 8, Tuesday, 6:05 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Mocrocks

Shellfish managers also extended the dig at Long Beach to run daily through March 31. The beach was previously scheduled to be open through March 10. Although Long Beach is open daily through the end of March, optimal digging conditions occur when the low tide is 1 foot or lower, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for WDFW.

"There are several days early in the month when low tides will be high enough to make digging difficult," Ayres said.

Shellfish managers also announced a tentative schedule of digs through March at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches provided that marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat. WDFW will make a final announcement on the digs about a week before each dig is scheduled to begin.

"We're announcing these dates so people can make plans for digging at Copalis or Mocrocks later in March," Ayres said. "The proposed digs include an opening to coincide with the Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival, which will take place March 18-20."

Ayres noted that the seasonal shift of low tides from evening to morning takes place in March. When low tides occur in the afternoon or evening, no digging is allowed before noon. When low tides take place in the morning, no digging is allowed after noon.

Below is the list of proposed razor clam digs, along with low tides and beaches:

Evening low tides

• March 18, Friday, 4:15 p.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• March 19, Saturday, 5:07 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• March 20, Sunday, 5:50 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis

Morning low tides

• March 25, Friday, 8:31 a.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks
• March 26, Saturday, 9:06 a.m.; 0.6 feet; Mocrocks
• March 27, Sunday, 9:42 a.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks

Diggers at Long Beach, which is open daily through March 31, should be aware that low tides will shift back and forth between morning and evening multiple times during the month of March.

"Low tides are a little unusual this March, which means diggers should be sure to check tide information before heading to Long Beach," Ayres said.

Long Beach will be open on evening tides March 1-10 and March 15-23 and will be open on morning tides March 11-14 and March 24-31. A full list of low tides in March is posted on WDFW's razor clam webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html, where diggers should check for any potential changes to the opening at Long Beach.

WDFW has razor clam recipes as well as advice on digging and cleaning clams on its webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/

Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2015-16 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW's website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov  and from license vendors around the state.