Razor clam dig continues through Jan. 7

Clam diggers can ring in the New Year by filling their buckets with razor clams during an eight-day opening that began on New Year’s Eve, including openings on four coastal beaches.

The state Department of Fish &Wildlife approved the dig, which runs through Jan. 7, after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat. Digging is allowed only after noon.

Dan Ayres, Fish &Wildlife coastal shellfish manager, recommends clam diggers bring lanterns and come prepared for cold, wet weather, noting the best digging typically occurs one to two hours before low tide.

“Digging razor clams over the New Year’s holiday is a true Northwest tradition,” Ayres said. “With afternoon low tides in their favor, diggers can hit the beach in the daylight and still have plenty of time to clean and cook their clams for a New Year’s meal.”

Digging days and evening tides during the upcoming opening are:

• Wednesday, Dec. 31; 3:05 p.m., 0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis

• Thursday, Jan. 1; 4:01 p.m., 0.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis

• Friday, Jan. 2; 4:49 p.m., -0.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis

• Saturday, Jan. 3; 5:32 p.m.,-0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis

• Sunday, Jan. 4; 6:12 p.m., -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Monday, Jan. 5; 6:48 p.m., -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Tuesday, Jan. 6; 7:23 p.m., -0.3 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Wednesday, Jan. 7; 7:57 p.m., -0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

Fish &Wildlife has proposed another eight-day dig beginning on Jan. 17, if upcoming marine toxin tests are favorable. That dig is tentatively scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides::

• Saturday, Jan. 17; 4:15 p.m., 0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis

• Sunday, Jan. 18; 5:02 p.m., -0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Monday, Jan. 19; 5:47 p.m., -1.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Tuesday, Jan. 20; 6:30 p.m., -1.4 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Wednesday, Jan. 21; 7:13 p.m., -1.4 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Thursday, Jan. 22; 7:56 p.m., -1.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Friday, Jan. 23; 8:40 p.m., -0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Saturday, Jan. 24; 9:25 p.m., 0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis

The schedule also proposes two more multi-day digs through February.

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 2014-15 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach.

“Of course weather always plays a factor, but in recent weeks many diggers have harvested their limits and picked up good-sized clams of 4 to 5 inches,” Ayres said.

Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on the department’s website at http://ift.tt/1czn9Tv and from license vendors around the state.

Fish &Wildlife has razor clam recipes as well as advice on digging and cleaning clams on its webpage at http://ift.tt/18hSAzn.