November kicks off the third round of razor clam tides of the season, after WDFW announced that digs can resume beginning the first day of the month.

The ministry recently approved five days of digging after tests confirmed the clams are safe to eat.

There will be negative tides each day, and depending on how the weather and waves develop, the clams may get their first good luck on clams in the deeper sections of the beds.

Bryce Blumenthal, knife recreation manager for WDFW, recently reported that most diggers were doing well, but in the second season open, bad weather made digging difficult.

“We just finished our second dig,” Blumenthal said, “and there was a little more bad weather than the last one.”

“We didn’t see that many people on that first dig,” he said. “I think people were looking at the tides and realizing that we didn’t have really negative tides. So they were thinking “okay, there are really good tides for the next set of tides, so we’ll just wait.”

“We then had a storm this weekend, which affected participation and success. We weren’t very happy with how it went, as we had some very good tides, including a negative tide of minus 1.7 feet.

He reported that the last days of this second excavation had had good weather and that the success had been greater.

Were the clams the right size?

“So far, not really,” Blumenthal said. “Most of the clams were happy to have a limit, but they commented that the clams were a little small. We haven’t had the best tides, and the good tides we have had have been affected by weather conditions. Thus, the excavations carried out so far have focused on the top of the knife beds.

He explained that the upper part of the beds is usually populated with small clams.

“Higher up on the beach, there are smaller clams that are just able to establish themselves and exist. This is just a general rule. In the early areas where exposures can be found, at the top of the clam beds, there are more of the smaller clams because they are able to survive much more easily.

“We haven’t yet been able to access the full width of the beds,” he added.

When fishing for clams, fishermen look for “shows” on beaches, dimples in the sand that indicate the presence of a clam. They then dig them up using a clam gun or clam shovel.

Winter and fall digs are evening and nighttime adventures and require the use of a high-powered light or lantern. Daytime and morning searches will take place in the spring.

Clams are also reminded that the north end of Long Beach offers less crowded beaches and better digs.

The population assessment conducted this summer showed a very similar population to last year, and Blumenthal estimates the season will look roughly similar to the 2023-2024 season.

Toxins, such as domoic acid, do not appear to be a problem at this time. Blumenthal said the algae causing the toxins are present in low numbers and the conditions necessary for them to create a toxic bloom are not present at this time.

However, there is some danger if the weather becomes unusually warm this fall. Several warm, sunny days could change these conditions, so clam diggers are reminded to check the state’s toxins website before digging.

An announcement will be made in WDFW press releases prior to the next excavation if it is initiated. WDFW Press Releases:

The most recent test results for domoic acid on Washington state beaches can be found on the department’s Domoic Acid Reports webpage.

The limit is 15 clams per day per digger. Each participant must dig their own clams and keep the first 15 clams they dig. Clams brought to the beach have a very low chance of survival.

Additionally, each digger should store their clams in a separate container.

Blumenthal stresses safety during winter digs, when it is dark and conditions can be difficult.

“Safety is always a concern once we enter peak surf storm season,” he said. “We always want to remind people to be aware of conditions, look around them and take care of their fellow diggers alongside them.”

“People should also not dig on their own if they can avoid it.”

Emergency lighting is a good idea, in case your original lighting fails.

First excavations

The following excavations at low tide in the evening (afternoon) will proceed as planned:

• Saturday November 2, 7:47 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks (change to standard time)
• November 3, Sunday, 7:22 p.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Ports, Copalis
• Monday November 4, 8 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Ports, Copalis
• November 5, Tuesday, 8:42 p.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Please note that the change to Daylight Saving Time means that the tide time on November 3 reflects this change, with the tide that day reaching its low point earlier than the day before, instead of later.

Future excavations

Subsequent dates for future excavations will be approved after toxin analysis.

• November 13, Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• November 14, Thursday, 5:02 p.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Friday November 15, 5:48 p.m.; -1.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Ports, Copalis
• November 16, Saturday, 6:33 p.m.; -1.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Ports, Copalis
• Sunday November 17, 7:19 p.m.; -1.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• Monday November 18, 8:05 p.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
• November 19, Tuesday, 8:54 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Ports, Copalis