Five days of razor clam digging begin December 19

Clam diggers will get another chance to dig some fresh razor clams for the holidays during an opening Dec. 19-23 at several Washington beaches.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the opening after marine toxin tests showed the clams are safe to eat.

Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager, recommends clam diggers bring lanterns for these evening digs and come prepared for cold, wet weather.

Ayres noted that smoked clams will keep in the refrigerator for two or three weeks. Recipes for razor clams can be found on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/recipes.html .

The best digging typically occurs one to two hours before low tide, said Ayres, noting that digging is not allowed at any beach before noon.

Upcoming digs are scheduled on the following dates, beaches and low tides:

Dec. 19, Friday; 4:41 p.m., 0.0 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks;

Dec. 20, Saturday, 5:23 p.m., -0.6 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks, Copalis;

Dec. 21, Sunday, 6:06 p.m., -1.1 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks;

Dec. 22, Monday, 6:48 p.m., -1.3 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors;

Dec. 23, Tuesday, 7:31 p.m., -1.3 feet, Long Beach, Twin Harbors.

Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.

All diggers age 15 or older must have an applicable 2014-15 fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses, ranging from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, are available on WDFW's website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov and from license vendors around the state.

For additional information about upcoming razor clam digs, see WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html .