Washington’s ocean beaches will remain closed to razor clam harvest until at least December after test results on razor clams dug at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Kalaloch and Copalis indicate levels of domoic acid that exceed the threshold set by state public health officials for safe consumption.
“Concentrations of domoic acid have increased rapidly beyond safe consumption thresholds set by the Washington Department of Health (DOH),” said Larry Phillips, coastal region director with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). “It is entirely possible that we will see higher-than-safe levels, even into December. We understand how important razor clam digging opportunities are to coastal communities and citizens of Washington, and we will continue to work with our partners to reopen as soon as possible.”
Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on WDFW’s domoic acid webpage.
WDFW managers will await additional test results from DOH prior to announcing additional digging opportunities.
WDFW has seen near record participation on recent digs.
FISHERY REPORTS
Fishing reports for waters in Southwest Washington, including the Columbia River and tributaries as reported to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on Nov. 2. Always check the WDFW website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing for the latest fishing rules and regulations as seasons can change or close quickly if necessary.
Update
WDFW has increased the salmon and steelhead daily limit to two fish on Drano Lake. The hatchery steelhead limit remains on per day. The limits will be effect Nov. 5 to Dec. 31.
The Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery has achieved the 2020 fall Chinook broostock collection goal, allowing the adult daily limit to be increased.
Mainstem Lower Columbia River
Salmon/steelhead
Bonneville — 35 bank anglers kept four Chinook, one coho, two coho jacks and released one coho; four boats/10 rods kept one Chinook.
Camas/Washougal — 18 boats/27 rods kept eight Chinook, one Chinook jack and one coho jack.
Interstate 5 area — Two boats/four rods had no catch.
Kalama — Seven bank anglers had no catch.
Cowlitz — One boat/one rod had no catch.
Columbia River tributaries
Salmon/steelhead
Cowlitz River – Interstate-5 Bridge downstream — 18 bank rods kept one coho, two coho jacks and released two coho jacks; one boat/two rods released one coho.
Above the I-5 Bridge — 26 bank rods released eight Chinook, one Chinook jack, two coho and three coho jacks.
Kalama River — Eight bank anglers had no catch.
Lewis River — 36 bank anglers kept one coho and released two Chinook and one coho; five boats/12 rods released four Chinook.
Klickitat below Fisher Hill Bridge — 81 bank anglers kept two Chinook, 11 coho, four coho jacks and released three coho.
Klickitat above No. 5 Fishway — One bank angler had no catch.
Drano Lake — Six bank anglers kept one Chinook jack and released six Chinook.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/creel
FISH COUNTS
Bonneville Dam
Oct. 31 — 152 chinook adults; 27 chinook jack; 24 coho adult; 14 coho jack; 18 steelhead; 9 unclipped steelhead.
Nov. 1 — 88 chinook adults; 14 chinook jack; 49 coho adult; 26 coho jack; 10 steelhead; 9 unclipped steelhead.
Nov. 2 — 51 chinook adults; 7 chinook jack; 23 coho adult; 8 coho jack; 9 steelhead; 2 unclipped steelhead.
Nov. 3 — 40 chinook adults; 9 chinook jack; 16 coho adult; 3 coho jack; 11 steelhead; 4 unclipped steelhead.
