Week-long razor clam dig approved for late October

OLYMPIA - State fishery managers have approved a week-long razor clam dig beginning Oct. 22 on evening tides at various beaches.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the seven-day dig after marine toxin test results showed the clams on those beaches are safe to eat. No digging will be allowed before noon on those days.

Dan Ayres, WDFW shellfish manager, reminds diggers they're required to keep the first 15 clams they dig under state law. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

"Most diggers were able to harvest their 15-clam daily limit fairly easily during the season opener earlier this month, except for one evening when some rough weather blew in," Ayres said. "Some diggers noticed smaller clams at a few beaches, but those clams are growing quickly."

Digging days and evening low tides during the upcoming opening are:

• Oct. 22, Wednesday; 6:31 p.m., 0.3 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Oct. 23, Thursday; 7:07 p.m., -0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Oct. 24, Friday; 7:44 p.m., -0.4 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Oct. 25, Saturday; 8:22 p.m., -0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis
• Oct. 26, Sunday; 9:03 p.m., -0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Oct. 27, Monday; 9:47 p.m., -0.4 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Oct. 28, Tuesday; 10:36 p.m., -0.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

The best results typically occur one to two hours before low tide, Ayres said.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2014-15 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.

Looking ahead to next month, WDFW will announce the final word on a tentative dig to begin Nov. 4 after marine toxin tests have been completed. That dig is tentatively scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides:

• Nov. 4, Tuesday; 4:26 p.m., -0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Nov. 5, Wednesday; 5:14 p.m., -0.7 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Nov. 6, Thursday; 5:59 p.m., -1.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Nov. 7, Friday; 6:42 p.m., -1.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Nov. 8, Saturday; 7:24 p.m., -1.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis
• Nov. 9, Sunday; 8:05 p.m., -0.7 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Nov. 10, Monday; 8:47 p.m., -0.3 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors
• Nov. 11, Tuesday; 9:31 p.m., 0.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

Comprehensive information about razor clams - from updates on tentative digs to how-to advice on digging and cooking - is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/.