Your opinion does matter to razor clams, and the broader razor clamming community. Please see the WDFW message below and follow the link to the Rule Proposal Form to submit your ideas and opinions on razor clam (sportfishing) rule changes for 2017-2018.

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Sportfishing Rule Proposal Form

The department’s goal in undertaking this rule-making is to ensure conservation objectives are maintained while simplifying rules and providing for recreational sport fishing opportunity for marine finfish, forage fish, and shellfish in saltwater areas of Puget Sound and coastal Washington.

To propose a sportfishing rule, please fill out this form completely – one proposal or idea per form, please! 

Rule proposals need to reach us by April 30, 2016, to be included in this year’s process.

This year we are requesting proposals that meet the following criteria:

1. Specific to saltwater areas of Puget Sound or the Coast.
2. Rules addressing a critical conservation need.
3. Rules providing significant recreational opportunities that generate economic activity.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/2017-2018/myproposal.php

According to a recent press release published by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife found here, digs at Mocrocks beach are confirmed from March 25-27. And, the shift to morning tides is taking place.  WDFW also reminds razor clammers that 2015-2016 licenses will expire on March 31. New licenses should be obtained for the 2016-2017 season beginning April 1.

Mocrocks
The dig at Mocrocks is scheduled on morning tides and ends at noon each day. Low tides during the three-day dig at Mocrocks are:

• March 25, Friday, 8:31 a.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks
• March 26, Saturday, 9:06 a.m.; 0.6 feet; Mocrocks
• March 27, Sunday, 9:42 a.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks

Digging at Long Beach continues until March 31.

Proposed April dig dates have been announces and are as follows:

WDFW has proposed digs on the following beaches and tides:

• April 3, Sunday, 4:13 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Long Beach
• April 4, Monday, 5:04 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach
• April 5, Tuesday, 5:51 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach
• April 6, Wednesday, 6:36 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach
• April 7, Thursday, 7:07 a.m.; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks
• April 8, Friday, 7:54 a.m.; -1.1 feet; Long Beach, Copalis, Mocrocks
• April 9, Saturday, 8:42 a.m.; -1.3 feet; Long Beach, Copalis
• April 10, Sunday, 9:32 a.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
• April 11, Monday, 10:23 a.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach
• April 12, Tuesday, 11:19 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach

• April 20, Wednesday, 6:25 a.m.; 0.6 feet; Long Beach
• April 21, Thursday, 7:01 a.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach
• April 22, Friday, 7:35 a.m.; 0.0 feet; Long Beach
• April 23, Saturday, 8:08 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
• April 24, Sunday, 8:42 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach
• April 25, Monday, 9:18 a.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
• April 26, Tuesday, 9:56 a.m.; -0.1 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
• April 27, Wednesday, 10:39 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach
• April 28, Thursday, 11:28 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach

For official information about razor clam digging, license info, and health information, please visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html.

 

According to a WDFW press release found here, people with ideas about how to improve sport fisheries (including razor clams) in Puget Sound and Washington’s coastal waters can submit their proposals to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) through April 30.

Razor Clam enthusiasts can propose fishing rule changes online at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals/ or obtain a submission form by calling (360) 902-2700. The website includes more information about this year’s rule proposal process.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, a citizen panel that sets policy for WDFW, also is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed rule changes in November.

The commission, which has the final word on which fishing rules are adopted, is expected to take final action on the sport fishing rule changes at a public meeting in December. Rules adopted by the commission will take effect in July 2017.

You can also email the Razor Clam Society (admin@ razorclamsociety.org) and we will assist you in the submission process of razor clam specific ideas. 

Just in time for the Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival & Seafood Extravaganza, WDFW has confirmed the following dig dates:

• March 18, Friday, 4:15 p.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• March 19, Saturday, 5:07 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• March 20, Sunday, 5:50 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis

The full press release can be found here.

And remember, digging in Long Beach is open daily. Check this link here for a full tide time schedule.

The Razor Clam Society will be at the Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival, so be sure to stop by our information booth. If we are not there, we are out digging clams.

 

 

Come join the Razor Clam Society for the 10th Annual Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival & Seafood Extravaganza, March 18-20 in Ocean Shores, WA. More information can be found here  with a list of the activities and events taking place over those three days.

Proposed razor clam digs are planned to coincide with the festival dates. The proposed dig dates and tide times are below:

• March 18, Friday, 4:15 p.m.; 0.7 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• March 19, Saturday, 5:07 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis
• March 20, Sunday, 5:50 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Mocrocks, Copalis

As soon as these dig dates and beaches are confirmed, we will publish another post. As always, the official information can be viewed at WDFW’s Razor Clam Page.