State approves 3-day razor clam dig beginning April 6

A 3-day razor clam dig has been approved for morning tides Saturday through Monday, April 6-8, according to Department of Fish and Wildlife state shellfish manager Dan Ayres.

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

• April 6, Saturday, 8:05 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• April 7, Sunday, 8:42 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

• April 8, Monday, 9:20 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Mocrocks

Shellfish managers canceled the tentatively planned April 6 razor clam dig at Copalis and replaced it with Mocrocks because of heavy pressure at Copalis.

“Our razor clam-loving population has been hitting Copalis beach hard in recent months,” Ayres said. “Based on our projections, we need to make this shift to ensure a healthy population of razor clams for the fall and coming years.”

Ayres recommends that diggers hit the beach about an hour or two before low tide for the best results.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2019-20 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses for 2018-19 will no longer be valid for this dig.

Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license (starting at $9.70) to an annual combination fishing license, are available online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.

Under state law, diggers at open beaches 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.