WDFW plans additional razor clam digs in April and May

OLYMPIA - Washington's remarkable razor clam season continues as state shellfish managers plan to add digs in late-April and early May.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced a tentative schedule of new digs in light of updated harvest estimates that show a sufficient number of clams to support the additional openings.

"This has been a great year for razor clams," said Dan Ayres, WDFW shellfish manager. "Clams this year have been bigger than average and abundant enough to add another series of digs."

Final approval on upcoming digs will be announced after marine-toxin test results confirm the clams are safe to eat.

"Digging at Mocrocks has been fabulous lately," Ayres said, noting that the upcoming series of digs includes three dates at that beach.

The upcoming digs are scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides:

Apr. 27, Sunday, 5:53 a.m., -0.3 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach

Apr. 28, Monday, 6:39 a.m., -0.8 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach

Apr. 29, Tuesday, 7:22 a.m., -1.1 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach

Apr. 30, Wednesday, 8:03 a.m., -1.2 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach

May 01, Thursday, 8:43 a.m., -1.0 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach

May 02, Friday, 9:23 a.m., -0.7 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks

May 03, Saturday, 10:04 a.m., -0.3 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks

May 04, Sunday, 10:47 a.m., 0.1 feet, Twin Harbors, Long Beach, Mocrocks

WDFW shellfish managers will analyze harvest data after this series of digs is completed. If enough clams remain for more digs, the best tides are around the weekend of May 17, Ayres said.

Under state law, diggers 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 clam diggers are reminded that they may not harvest any part of another person's daily limit, except for those who possess designated harvester cards.

Diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2014-15 fishing license to harvest razor clams on state beaches. Fishing licenses of various kinds are available on the department's website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.

For updates on upcoming digs, visit the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/