The next season of razor clam digging is here!

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife sent this bulletin at 10/03/2024 04:22 PM PDT

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The next set of razor clam digs has arrived!

Mocrocks, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, and Copalis to host digs

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish managers have confirmed the season's first round of razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks starting Oct. 3 and running through Oct. 7.

"It's very exciting to get back to razor clamming again and begin the 2024-25 season," said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. "It's common to encounter some small clams this early in the season, so we want to remind everyone that the rules require each digger to keep their first 15 clams regardless of size or condition in their own separate container."

The set of digs at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, and Copalis on Oct. 3-7 will proceed after marine toxin results from the Washington Department of Health showed razor clams are safe to eat at those beaches.

WDOH requires two test samples taken seven to 10 days apart, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can reopen for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities.

Not all beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out.

Detour in place

Diggers heading out to Copalis on Friday or Saturday need to be aware that Highway 109 is closed west of Hoquiam and there is a detour via Highway 101 North and Ocean Beach Road.

In early fall the beaches still have a lot of sand built up, which can make beach driving hazardous. WDFW asks diggers to drive carefully on the uppermost part of the hard-packed sand, avoid wet sand and not to create congestion leading on and off the beach by parking on the approaches.

For more information on these digs, go to WDFW's razor clam webpage.

Below are the approved and tentative dates for razor clam digs, along with low tides and beaches. Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.

APPROVED, EVENING TIDES ONLY:

Oct. 3, Thursday, 7:38 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 4, Friday, 8:10 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 5, Saturday, 8:44 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 6, Sunday, 9:20 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 7, Monday, 10:02 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Final approval of marine toxin testing usually occurs about a week or less – sometimes two to three days – prior to 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.

ADDITIONAL TENTATIVE DATES:

Oct. 15, Tuesday, 5:31 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 16, Wednesday, 6:18 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 17, Thursday, 7:03 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 18, Friday, 7:49 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 19, Saturday, 8:35 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Oct. 20, Sunday, 9:24 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Oct. 21, Monday, 10:16 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Nov. 1, Friday, 7:15 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 2, Saturday, 7:47 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (switch to standard time)
Nov. 3, Sunday, 7:22 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 4, Monday, 8:00 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 5, Tuesday, 8:42 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Nov. 13, Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 14, Thursday, 5:02 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 15, Friday, 5:48 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 16, Saturday, 6:33 p.m.; -1.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 17, Sunday, 7:19 p.m.; -1.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 18, Monday, 8:05 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 19, Tuesday, 8:54 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Nov. 29, Friday, 5:20 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 30, Saturday, 5:54 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 1, Sunday, 6:30 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 2, Monday, 7:06 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 3, Tuesday, 7:46 p.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 4, Wednesday, 8:28 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 5, Thursday, 9:13 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Dec. 12, Thursday, 4:00 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 13, Friday, 4:50 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 14, Saturday, 5:36 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 15, Sunday, 6:21 p.m.; -1.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 16, Monday, 7:05 p.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 17, Tuesday, 7:48 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 18, Wednesday, 8:31 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Dec. 28, Saturday, 4:58 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 29, Sunday, 5:36 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 30, Monday, 6:14 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 31, Tuesday, 6:51 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis

Enter your razor clamming photos!

Are you a clam gun guru or a shovel superstar? It’s time to put your razor clamming prowess on display!

Join the Razor Clam Face-Off and show off your skills. Snap a photo of your epic clam-digging adventure and submit it on our site using the hashtag for your team, #TeamClamGun or #TeamClamShovel, from the “Promotion” dropdown menu.

Every week, we’ll feature a standout photo on our social media. The team with the most submissions will win bragging rights.

So, grab your license and gear, hit the beach, and let’s dig in!

Enter your photo

The gear

Getting started digging razor clams can be pretty straightforward. Here’s what you’ll need:

Clam gun or shovel
Container/net to store your clams
License
Flashlight, headlamp, and/or lantern for night digs
Rain gear and a towel can come in handy
As can knee boots, hip waders, or chest waders
Watchful eye: Keep an eye on waves, especially during night tides

How to dig

Licenses

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2024-25 fishing license to harvest razor clams.

Licenses range from a three-day razor clam license (starting at $9.70) to an annual combination fishing license or Fish Washington license. They are available from WDFW online and from some 600 license vendors around the state.

Search for license dealers near you.

Buy your license

Trout Derby is still on

As part of your razor clamming adventure, you can also participate in our 2024 Trout Derby as you travel to and from the coast.

The annual statewide derby is open at more than 100 stocked lakes and runs through Oct. 31. Over 80 participating businesses are offering hundreds of donated prizes valued at more than $42,000.

Twenty additional tagged prize fish, donated by Pacific County Anglers for the Dennis Company, have been placed recently in Western, Snag, and Black lakes.

For more information on the derby and to find a lake, visit our derby information page.

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