Get your clam shovels ready for a seven days of coastal razor clam digs are set to kick off April 23. Fans of the bivalve can scope out the prime digging opportunities at various Washington beaches, but keep in mind that not every spot will be up for grabs each day. It's crucial to check if your chosen beach is open for business before you hit the road.

Bryce Blumenthal, a coastal shellfish biologist with WDFW, chimed in with an important note, "As a reminder, some areas of coastal beaches are usually closed to beach driving this time of year, but they are open during razor clam digging hours," according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.  So folks, you can bring your vehicles on the sand – during digging times, that is. The digs are scheduled around the morning low tides, with the goal being to unearth the clams one to two hours before these low points, when they're easier to catch.

The green light for clamming comes after the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that the razor clams are safe to eat, with marine toxin levels sitting safely below the danger zone. Domoic acid, the potentially harmful toxin produced by algae, needs to be within acceptable limits before the beaches can open, and, fortunately for clam enthusiasts, the tests were favorable.

The confirmed dates for upcoming digs along the Washington coast span from April 23 to April 29, promising an array of options for early risers ready to hit the beaches at low tide. As reported by the WDFW's announcement, the low tides will hit their lowest, in the wee hours of the morning, promising diggers a bountiful search for those elusive shellfish.

Clam diggers with their eyes on the prize should also mark their calendars for May 6-12, when additional tentative digs are planned. The Long Beach Razor Clam Festival, slated for May 10-11, is also set to draw a crowd with its celebration of this unique crustacean and its cultural ties to the coastal communities of Washington.