OUTDOORS: Big halibut being landed and razor clam limit will increase - Peninsula Daily News

OLYMPIA — Shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed Friday that the next round of razor clam digging can proceed as planned from April 16-21 with an increased limit of 20 clams.

"It's been a great season and we are excited that abundant razor clam populations will allow us to increase the daily limit as we near the end of the season," said Dan Ayres, the WDFW coastal shellfish manager. "Hopefully, a larger limit will help diggers enjoy a trip, even with the high price of fuel. The tentative digs in early May will mark the end of the spring season."

On all open beaches — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks and Copalis — the daily limit from Saturday through May 7 is 20 clams instead of the usual 15. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 20 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition.

Digging is allowed during low tide from 12 a.m. through 11:59 a.m. only:

• Saturday, 7:03 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis (Long Beach Razor Clam Festival).

• Sunday, 7:45 a.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (Long Beach Razor Clam Festival).

• April 18, Monday, 8:28 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.

• April 19, Tuesday, 9:14 a.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.

• April 20, Wednesday, 10:04 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.

• April 21, Thursday, 10:59 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.

Additional tentative digs are scheduled for April 29 to May 7 depending on toxin testing results.

Details on the razor clam season can be found at wdfw.wa.gov/razorclams.

Not all beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. The most successful digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.

The size of razor clams seen in surveys have been unusually large. At Long Beach, the average is 4.3 inches; Twin Harbors, 4.7 inches; Copalis, 4.8 inches; and Mocrocks, 4.5 inches.

Shellfish and seafood enthusiasts can make plans to attend the Long Beach Razor Clam Festival Saturday and Sunday. The Long Beach Merchants Association hosts the event that includes free clam digging lessons and cleaning demos, a chowder taste-off competition, live music, prize contests, free fritter samples, vendors, food trucks and more. For details on the festival, go to www.longbeachrazorclamfestival.com.

Razor clam diggers must purchase their new 2022-2023 recreational fishing or shellfishing licenses to participate. All diggers 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Details can be found at www.wdfw.wa.gov/licenses.

As in past years, WDFW is asking beachgoers to avoid disturbing nesting snowy plovers — a small bird with gray wings and a white breast — by staying out of the dunes and posted areas along the southwest Washington coast.