WDFW Approves  razor clam tides: Nov 13th - 19th Tides 

Razor Clam Tides

WDFW Approved Razor Clam Tides:

The following digs during evening (p.m.) low tides will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the DOH showed razor clams are safe to eat.

  • 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


Tentative upcoming fall/winter razor clam digs:

  • 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
  • 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

WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs beginning Oct. 15; more tentative digs planned through 2024

OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed, razor clam digging opportunities on four coastal beaches from Oct. 15-21.“It was a great first tide series of the season last week (Oct. 3-7) with soft wind, calm waves, and dry skies that resulted in mostly limits for those that came out,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “We are hoping this next tide series will bring similar success with lower and earlier tides that should allow for daylight digging opportunity the first few days.”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. The Washington Department of Health (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 – sometimes two to three days – before the start of each digging series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on the WDFW’s domoic acid webpage. The following digs during evening (p.m.) low tides will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the DOH showed razor clams are safe to eat:

  • Oct15, Tuesday, 5:31 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
  • Oct16, Wednesday, 6:18 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
  • Oct17, 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 9, 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

WDFW announces 42 tentative days of coastal razor clam digging opportunities beginning Oct. 3-7

OLYMPIA – Shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced 42 tentative days of razor clam digs at four coastal beaches from Oct. 3 through Dec. 31.

“The 2024-25 recreational razor clam season will see similar digging opportunity to last season as long as marine toxin levels remain below closure levels,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “Razor clam populations on southern coastal beaches continue to be strong and healthy enough for abundant fall digging with harvestable low tides this season falling on Thanksgiving weekend, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day (not yet announced, 2025 dates will be released as the season progresses).”

All beach openings are dependent on final approval of marine toxin testing, which usually occurs about a week or less prior to the start of each digging series. The Washington Department of Health (WDOH) requires two test samples taken seven to 10 days apart, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach opens for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. 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 – Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, and Copalis – 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.

“It's important that diggers keep the clams they dig to prevent wastage,” Blumenthal said. “It's not unusual to encounter some small clams, especially this early in the season.”

Kalaloch beach off the northern Olympic Peninsula coast won’t be open due to continuing issues with depressed populations of harvestable clams.

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

  • 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


  • 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

No digging is allowed before noon during digs when low tide occurs in the afternoon or evening.

Additional information

All diggers age 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. WDFW recommends buying your license before visiting coastal beach communities.

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 nesting period, especially along the southern end on Twin Harbors – known as Midway Beach – the north end of Long Beach and the area north of Ocean City on Copalis 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. When driving on the beach, please respect the 25 MPH speed limit and enter only at designated access points. Stay on the hard-packed sand near the high tide line to avoid crushing clam beds and snowy plover nests.

The 2024-25 Razor Clam Management Plan will be available soon.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

Clam Gun or Shovel

Check this out!

WDFW  wants razor clam fans around the state to weigh in on the perennial question:

Which is better, clam gun or shovel? 

To register support for a favored digging method, clam diggers can post a photo or video, complete with hashtag #TeamClamShovel or #TeamClamGun on any social media before the end of the spring season.

Many ocean beaches are open to motor vehicles, but drivers are required to follow the "rules of the road," said Ayres. “Mocrocks beach only has three points of road access, so we are asking beachgoers to arrive early and exercise good judgment when accessing the beach,” he added. 

"Under state law, all vehicles - and horses - are required to travel along the extreme upper limit of the hard sand," he said. "When in doubt, follow the path marked by multiple tire tracks." Drivers who veer from that path pose a direct threat to fish and wildlife, Ayres said. Motorists who violate Washington state laws on beach driving can face a fine of $150, or much more for killing endangered seabirds, like snowy plovers. 

“We manage recreational clam digging in Washington in a manner that we believe minimizes potential impacts to vulnerable ground nesting listed bird species,” said Ayres. “We do this by not scheduling digging after May 15 at key breeding areas for snowy plovers and streaked horned larks, including Long Beach and Twin Harbors.”

The agency continues to emphasize ‘digging while distancing’ and masking up when near others to support efforts by community health experts to ensure a fun and safe razor clam season.  
 
The agency continues to emphasize ‘digging while distancing’ and masking up when near others to support efforts by community health experts to ensure a fun and safe razor clam season.  

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. 

Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license (starting at $9.70) to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW's website and from some 600 license vendors around the state.  

Under state law, diggers at open beaches 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. 

Razor Clams

Please remember to check with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for last minute changes to the razor clam digging , rules and regulations.

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Beaches in Washington with razor clam fisheries include:

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Copalis Beach, which extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River, and includes the Copalis, Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.

Mocrocks Beach, which extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Seabrook, Pacific Beach and Moclips.

Twin Harbors Beach, which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.

Long Beach, which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.

Kalaloch Beach, which extends from the South Beach Campground to Brown’s Point (just south of Beach Trail 3) in the Olympic National Park. 

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