WDFW Approves Six Razor Clam Digs Nov. 18–23 — Last Chance Before Thanksgiving

WDFW has approved razor clam digs Nov. 18–23 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks — the last scheduled digs before Thanksgiving. Final openings depend on Washington State Department of Health testing for domoic acid, which must be below safety guidelines. The daily limit is 15 clams per person, and diggers 16+ need a valid 2025–26 license. Kalaloch Beach remains closed due to small, sparse clams; check WDFW's website for updates and the full management plan.

01:24 AM, 11/16/2025Lifestyle

WDFW Approves Six Razor Clam Digs Nov. 18–23 — Last Chance Before Thanksgiving

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) confirmed on Nov. 14 that razor clam digs are scheduled for Nov. 18–23 at four beaches: Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks. WDFW recreational razor clam manager Bryce Blumenthal called this the last opportunity to harvest clams ahead of Thanksgiving.

Health testing and final approval: The Washington State Department of Health tests razor clam samples for marine toxins (notably domoic acid). Final approval of each dig series typically arrives a few days to a week before the scheduled digs and requires domoic acid levels to be below the health guideline for a beach to open. Domoic acid is a naturally occurring toxin produced by some marine algae and can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient amounts.

Confirmed digs (evening/late-afternoon low tides; noon–midnight digs only)

Nov. 18, Tue — 5:18 p.m.; 0.0 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 19, Wed — 5:52 p.m.; -0.3 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 20, Thu — 6:25 p.m.; -0.4 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Nov. 21, Fri — 6:59 p.m.; -0.4 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 22, Sat — 7:34 p.m.; -0.3 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Nov. 23, Sun — 8:12 p.m.; -0.1 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Additional tentative dates (times and low tides shown)

Dec. 2, Tue — 4:11 p.m.; -0.6 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 3, Wed — 4:59 p.m.; -1.4 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 4, Thu — 5:47 p.m.; -1.9 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 5, Fri — 6:34 p.m.; -2.1 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 6, Sat — 7:22 p.m.; -1.9 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 7, Sun — 8:10 p.m.; -1.4 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 8, Mon — 8:59 p.m.; -0.8 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 18, Thu — 5:34 p.m.; -0.2 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 19, Fri — 6:09 p.m.; -0.4 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 20, Sat — 6:44 p.m.; -0.5 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 21, Sun — 7:19 p.m.; -0.4 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 22, Mon — 7:54 p.m.; -0.3 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Dec. 23, Tue — 8:31 p.m.; -0.1 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Dec. 31, Wed — 3:55 p.m.; -0.6 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan. 1, Thu — 4:47 p.m.; -1.2 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan. 2, Fri — 5:37 p.m.; -1.6 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan. 3, Sat — 6:23 p.m.; -1.7 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Jan. 4, Sun — 7:07 p.m.; -1.5 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan. 5, Mon — 7:50 p.m.; -1.1 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Jan. 6, Tue — 8:32 p.m.; -0.5 ft — Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Timing tip: Most successful digging occurs about one to two hours before the listed low-tide time.

Regulations, licenses and safety

On all open beaches (Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks) the daily bag limit is 15 razor clams per person. Each digger must place their clams in a separate container and must retain the first 15 clams they dig — regardless of size or condition — to prevent waste.

Everyone age 16 and older must carry a valid 2025–26 razor clam license. Licenses are available from WDFW's licensing website or authorized license dealers. WDFW recommends purchasing a license before traveling to coastal communities.

Beaches often have extensive soft sand in the fall. WDFW asks diggers to drive only on the uppermost hard-packed sand near the high-tide line to avoid crushing clam beds and burying female Dungeness crabs. Observe the 25-mph speed limit and avoid parking on beach approaches, which can cause congestion entering and leaving the beach.

Closed areas: Kalaloch Beach (northern Olympic Peninsula) will remain closed because clams there are still small and sparse.

For more information, current openings and the full 2025–26 Razor Clam Management Plan (including population estimates, average sizes and density), visit WDFW's razor clam webpage. WDFW welcomes public comments on proposed razor clam schedules; send feedback to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov.