Clam enthusiasts along the Washington coastline, get your shovels ready. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced a six-day razor clam dig starting March 26, promising a stretch of shellfish searching to anyone craving coastal treasure. As per WDFW's announcement, this end-of-March event invites both seasoned clam diggers and novices to hit the beaches for what is shaping up to be prime picking.
Bryce Blumenthal, WDFW coastal shellfish biologist, underscored the importance of safety during these digs. "We’ll be sending off March with six days of a razor clam digging," Blumenthal said, urging beachgoers to observe the 25 MPH speed limit and to drive only on the hard-packed sand near the high tide line. This caution is twofold—to keep diggers safe and avoid crushing the very clam beds that bring people to the beach. Diggers should note not all beaches are open each day and check their destination's status in advance.
The department has laid out the rules and timings for optimal digging, stressing that ideal conditions are found between one and two hours before low tide. Aiming to manage the influx of participants and protect the environment, WDFW is regulating the clamming windows with a careful eye.
Additional tentative razor clam digs are planned for April, though specifics are yet to be confirmed. The continuation of this tradition along the coast signals both a nod to the past and a glance toward a future where conservation and recreation stride hand in hand. For more information on digging dates, beaches, and tides, interested parties should visit the WDFW news release.
