Winter Clam Dig on Long Beach Open Through Jan. 14

Officials in charge of managing Washington’s shellfish have given the green light to a razor clam dig on Long Beach ending on Thursday, January 14. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), marine toxin tests indicated that the clams on Long Beach “are safe to eat.” A two-day dig that was approved for Copalis Beach, north of Grays Harbor, has already ended. 

All other [Washington state] beaches remain closed to recreational razor clam digging, WDFW notes, until it determines that domoic acid levels have dropped below 20 parts per million. Domoic acid is a natural toxin produced by specific types of algae that can be dangerous, or even fatal, if consumed in large enough quantities.

According to Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the WDFW, a typical clam season will last from mid-October to around the end of May, but can be affected a number of variables like toxin levels, estimated clam numbers and others. Ayres also noted that more toxin sampling will be conducted tonight, so with a little luck, more upcoming digs might be approved. Check the WDFW’s website for future approved digs.

General advice is that the best digging happens one or two hours before low tide. For even more expert clam-digging advice, pop over to this how-to guide, in which frequent Seattle magazine columnist and forager Langdon Cook gives us the 4-1-1 on finding prime specimens in the sand.

If you plan on trying your hand at clam digging, don’t forget to grab the appropriate license and to understand all legal guidelines prior to your voyage. Visit the WDFW’s website for more information on licensing.

And, if your haul is good enough, consider using your catch to make some razor clam linguine.