LONG BEACH — Razor clam digging tentatively is scheduled to open Oct. 13-14 at four Washington beaches including the Long Beach Peninsula.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Tuesday plans to open Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks on Oct. 13-14; Long Beach and Twin Harbors on Oct. 15 and Twin Harbors on Oct. 16-18.
Final approval will come about a week for the dig is set to start is testing indicates the clams are safe to eat, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the agency.
Low tides and their heights are: Oct. 13, 5:41 p.m., +0.3 feet; Oct. 14, 6:26 p.m., -0.5 feet; Oct. 15, 7:11 p.m., -1.1 feet.
“Low tides will occur relatively late in the day, so diggers need be prepared for darkness during evening digs in the fall,” Ayres said.
More digging days are coming.
“We’re still in the process of determining additional fall and winter digging opportunities, but we wanted to give people a chance to start making plans for October,” said Ayres.
All diggers age 15 and older must have a 2012-13 license to harvest razor clams. Licenses range from three-day razor clam licenses ($8.60) to an annual combination fishing license ($54.25).
Each digger can take 15 razor clams per day and must keep the first 15 dug regardless of condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.