OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced the first round of razor clam digging opportunities for the season, open only at Copalis Beach and Mocrocks Beach from Oct. 26 to 29.
Long Beach and Twin Harbors will remain closed during the four-day opening.
WDFW says the decision follows their summer 2026 stock assessment, which found fewer razor clams on Copalis and Mocrocks than in recent years. Because allowable harvest levels are established as a percentage of overall population size, state officials said diggers can expect fewer overall digging days during the 2026-2027 season.
Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist, explained that the agency structured the opening to balance conservation with public access.
“With the ongoing closure at Long Beach and Twin Harbors, we have structured the upcoming opening at Copalis and Mocrocks to maximize a quality digging series while protecting coastal clam populations and preserving opportunity throughout the fall season,” Blumenthal said.
Blumenthal added that the timing of the schedule targets specific low-tide windows.
“By shifting to a four-day digging window, we can align digging time with the lowest tides of the tidal cycle,” Blumenthal said. “While managing one open beach at a time requires us to be more strategic, this approach gives diggers the best chance at successful harvest during the best tides of the week.”
Although survey counts declined at Copalis and Mocrocks, razor clam abundance at Long Beach and Twin Harbors remains near average. State officials noted that razor clam populations naturally rise and fall from year to year depending on ocean conditions.
WDFW advised that the most successful digging typically occurs between one and 2 hours prior to the listed low tide.
Digging during the four-day period is permitted only during late afternoon and evening low tides between noon and midnight. The scheduled digs will proceed as follows:
- Oct. 26: 7:18 p.m. (minus 1.2 feet) at Mocrocks only
- Oct. 27: 8:01 p.m. (minus 1.5 feet) at Copalis only
- Oct. 28: 8:47 p.m. (minus 1.5 feet) at Copalis only
- Oct. 29: 9:38 p.m. (minus 1.2 feet) at Mocrocks only
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