Clam dig approved starting Feb.15; digs proposed through March

OLYMPIA — Razor clam diggers can count on an eight-day opener beginning Feb. 15 and start planning trips to Washington’s beaches in March, state shellfish managers said Monday.

The state Department of Fish &Wildlife approved the upcoming dig, which runs Feb. 15-22, after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.

Dan Ayres, Fish &Wildlife coastal shellfish manager, said the best digging typically occurs one to two hours before low tide. No digging is allowed at any beach before noon.

“We’re expecting a good turnout this upcoming Presidents’ Day weekend,” Ayres said. “Tides will be early enough the first few days that diggers can enjoy some daylight on the beach.”

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.

Here are the tides and times:

• Sunday, Feb. 15, 3:47 p.m.; 0.2 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Monday, Feb. 16, 4:37 p.m.; -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Tuesday, Feb. 17, 5:24 p.m.; -0.9 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Wednesday, Feb. 18, 6:08 p.m.; -1.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Thursday, Feb. 19, 6:51 p.m.; -1.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• Friday, Feb. 20, 7:33 p.m.; -0.7 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• Saturday, Feb. 20, 8:16 p.m.; -0.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis

• Sunday, Feb. 22, 9 p.m.; 0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Shellfish managers also announced a new schedule of proposed digs through March, which includes an opening tentatively set for March 5.

“We’re announcing these dates so people can make plans for digging in March,” Ayres said. “The proposed digs include an opening for the Ocean Shores razor clam festival.”

Below is the list of proposed razor clam digs, along with low tides and beaches:

• March 2, Monday, 4:46 p.m.; 0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• March 3, Tuesday, 5:26 p.m.; 0.4 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• March 4, Wednesday, 5:59 p.m.; 0.4 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• March 5, Thursday, 6:30 p.m., 0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

The proposed list also includes a dig later in March that includes the seasonal switch to morning tides. Those proposed dates are:

• March 16, Monday, 4:15 p.m.; 0.3 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• March 17, Tuesday, 5:08 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• March 18, Wednesday, 5:57 p.m.; -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• March 19, Thursday; 6:42 p.m., -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• March 20, Friday, 7:26 p.m.; -0.4 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks

(Seasonal switch to morning tides)

• March 21, Saturday, 7:55 a.m.; -0.5 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors Copalis, Mocrocks

• March 22, Sunday, 8:42 a.m.; -0.7 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors Copalis, Mocrocks

• March 23, Thursday, 9:31 a.m.; -0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

• March 24, Thursday, 10:21 a.m.; -0.3 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2015-16 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 Fish &Wildlife’s website at http://ift.tt/1czn9Tv and from license vendors around the state.

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