State announces razor clam dig to begin May 6 on two beaches

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- State shellfish managers announced Thursday they have added four days of razor clam digging at Mocrocks to a previously scheduled opening at Long Beach to offer a full week of digging starting May 6.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife approved the digs at Long Beach and Mocrocks after marine toxin tests showed the clams on those beaches are safe to eat.

The department added dates at Mocrocks after evaluating harvest levels and determining there are still clams available for digging, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.

The upcoming dig is scheduled on the following dates, beaches, and low tides:

May 6, Friday, 6:51 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Long Beach
May 7, Saturday, 7:39 a.m.; -2.0 feet; Long Beach
May 8, Sunday, 8:26 a.m.; -2.1 feet; Long Beach
May 9, Monday, 9:14 a.m.; -1.9 feet; Mocrocks
May 10, Tuesday, 10:03 a.m.; -1.5 feet; Mocrocks
May 11, Wednesday, 10:55 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Mocrocks
May 12, Thursday, 11:49 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Mocrocks

Ayres recommends that diggers arrive at the beaches an hour or two before low tide for best results. However, digging is not allowed on any beach after noon with the exception of Mocrocks on May 12, when digging will be allowed for an extra hour, until 1 p.m., due to the later low tide, Ayres said.

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

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2016-17 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.