03/16/2026
WDFW APPROVES MORE CLAM DIGGING: Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers this week confirmed razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches from March 17 through March 24.
“March is finally here and with it comes longer days, the shift to morning harvest, and hopefully better weather,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “This next tide series will start off with our last few evening digs, then switch to spring morning tides to kick off weekend digging and the Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival.”
Copalis and Mocrocks beaches are not open every day during each series of digs, so WDFW advises residents to check which beach is open before heading out.
The Washington state 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.
The following digs during late afternoon/evening (noon to midnight only):
• March 17, Tuesday, 6:21 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• March 18, Wednesday, 6:54 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• March 19, Thursday, 7:28 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
The following digs during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides:
• March 20, Friday, 8:00 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival)
• March 21, Saturday, 8:43 a.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival)
• March 22, Sunday, 9:29 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival)
• March 23, Monday, 10:22 a.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• March 24, Tuesday, 11:21 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (digging extended until 1 p.m.)
Below are additional tentative dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides:
• April 1, Wednesday, 6:45 a.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 2, Thursday, 7:22 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 3, Friday, 7:57 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• April 4, Saturday, 8:32 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
• April 5, Sunday, 9:08 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 6, Monday, 9:46 a.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• April 7, Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.
On all open beaches, 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.
Diggers must have a valid 2025-2026 license. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW’s licensing website and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. All diggers 16 or older must have a license to harvest razor clams on any beach.
Kalaloch Beach off the northern Olympic Peninsula coast won’t be open due to continuing issues with depressed populations of harvestable clams, according to the release.
Pictured: A young child holds a razor clam on the Washington coast in this photo by Kristen Schnase.
— WDFW news release
