OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the season’s first round of razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches from Thursday to Monday.
“It’s very exciting to get back to razor clamming again and begin the 2024-25 season,” said Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “It’s common to encounter some small clams this early in the season, so we want to remind everyone that the rules require each digger to keep their first 15 clams regardless of size or condition in their own separate container.”
In early fall, the beaches still have a lot of sand built up, which can make beach driving hazardous. WDFW asks diggers to drive carefully on the uppermost part of the hard-packed sand, avoid wet sand and not to create congestion leading on and off the beach by parking on the approaches.
Diggers heading out to Copalis on Friday or Saturday need to be aware that State Highway 109 is closed west of Hoquiam and there is a detour via U.S. Highway 101 North and Ocean Beach Road.
The following digs during evening (p.m.) low tides will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the DOH showed razor clams are safe to eat:
Thursday — 7:38 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
Friday — 8:10 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
Saturday — 8:44 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis.
Sunday — 9:20 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
Monday — 10:02 p.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks.
There are also tentative dates set for Oct. 15-21, Nov. 1-5 and Nov. 13-19, with many more days in December.
Hoh River reopens
OLYMPIA — Fishing reopened on the Hoh River, including the South Fork, on Monday.
The Hoh and its tributaries reopened from the Olympic National Park boundary near the mouth upstream to the Olympic National Park boundary below the mouth of the South fork Hoh River. The Hoh River, South Fork and all of its tributaries reopened outside of the Olympic National Park boundary.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife took this action because flows in the Hoh River have increased to levels that do not impede the movement of fish upstream. Flows are still of concern to the WDFW and river conditions and salmon abundance will continue to be monitored. Fishing may close again if conditions change.
