Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has tentatively scheduled razor-clam digs through October, while continuing to accept public comments on openings for the rest of the season.

The department is planning two series of evening digs at four ocean beaches in October, provided that marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat.

Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, said final word on the first series of digs will be announced after test results are received next week.

Dates, beaches, and evening low tides for the proposed digs are as follows:

Oct. 4, Friday, 6:56 p.m .; 0.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks

Oct. 5, Saturday, 7:36 p.m .; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks

Oct. 6, Sunday, 8:17 p.m .; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors Mocrocks

Oct. 7, Monday, 9:48 p.m .; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Oct. 8, Tuesday, 10:40 p.m .; -0.4 feet; Twin Harbors

Oct. 17, Thursday, 6:15 p.m .; -0.2 feet; Twin Harbors

Oct. 18, Friday, 6:57 p.m .; -0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks

Oct. 19, Saturday, 7:38 p.m .; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks

Oct. 20, Sunday, 8:16 p.m .; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Oct. 21, Monday, 8:55 p.m .; -0.4 feet; Twin Harbors, Mocrocks

Oct. 22, Tuesday, 9:34 p.m .; -0.1 feet; Twin Harbors

"We're still in the process of determining additional fall and winter digging opportunities, but we wanted to give people a chance to start making plans for October," said Ayres, noting that tests conducted over the summer point to another year of strong razor clam populations and digging opportunities.

A report on last year’s season and prospects for this year are posted on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/seasons_set.html . Written comments on plans for this year’s season can be submitted to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov through Sept. 30.

Under state rules, harvesters may take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's limit must be kept in a separate container.

All diggers must have an applicable 2013-14 fishing license to dig razor clams on any beach. A license is required for anyone age 15 or older.

Several types of licenses, ranging from a combination fishing license to a three-day razor clam license, are available online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ . Fishing licenses can also be purchased from sporting goods stores and other vendors, listed at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/ .