Aberdeen Elma Long Beach Montesano Raymond

Clam Digging

Available at these locations: Aberdeen, Elma, Long Beach, Montesano, Raymond

For the most recent information on Razor Clam seasons, view Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s current press release. They also have an outstanding set of pages on Razor Clamming.

Click here for instructions on how to dig a razor clam!

Long Beach from the Columbia River north to the mouth of the Willapa Bay
Twin Harbors from Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor
Copalis Beach from the north jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor to the Copalis River
Mocrocks from the Copalis River to the south boundary of the Quinault Indian Reservation
Kalaloch from the South Beach campground north to ONP Beach Trail 3

Limits

The first fifteen razor clams regardless of size or condition must be retained. One daily limit of fresh shellfish may be in possession. Additional shellfish may be possessed in a frozen or processed form.

Razor clams may not be returned to the beach. For razor clams, holes do not have to be refilled as is required for hard-shell clam digging.

Harvest Seasons

Razor clams are strictly managed by determining clam population levels and harvest plans are set every year. Before harvesting, check the beach to determine if a beach is open or if there are any health restrictions. You can check if there are any marine toxin level restrictions by calling the Marine Biotoxin
Hotline maintained by the Washington Department of Health at 1-800-562-5632.

License Requirements

A Shellfish/Seaweed License is required for anyone age 15 or older harvesting razor clams and must be in the harvester’s immediate possession and available for inspection during harvest and transport.

Everyone claiming a limit must actively participate in the harvesting process, unless they possess a disability permit.

Allowable Gear

Razor clams may be taken by hand, hand-operated shovel, or tube with a minimum outside diameter of 4″ or (4″ x 3″ if elliptical). Each digger must use a separate container, such as a clam net or bag, but may share digging equipment.

Shop Dennis Company stores for your clamming gear:

PVC Razor Clam Gun PVC Schedule 40 handle. Handle bolted and cemented. Cap screwed and cemented. All stainless-steel hardware. Tapered edge for quick and deep plunge. Standard: 4″ Diameter tube, 28″ overall length Small: 4″ Diameter tube, 24″ overall length #J00101
Aluminum Clam Gun All aluminum razor clam gun. Tapered edge for quick and deep plunge. 4″ Diameter tube, 28″ overall length #F00140
Aluminum T-Handle Clam Gun Welded all aluminum construction, corrosion resistant, ultra-light weight. 31″ Long, 5″x15″ Barrel Import. #F00113
Razor Clam Shovels Great for digging razor clams, steel blade, all wood handle. Choose from four different sizes:Our Price: (9″ Blade, 18″ Handle) #F00102 (11″ Blade, 18″ Handle)#F00103 (9″ Blade, 31″ Handle) #F00104 (11″ Blade, 31″ Handle) #F00105
Clam Net This clam net features a “D” ring for easy belt attachment, leaving hands free to gather clam. #F00145
Nylon Clam Bag This black nylon clam bag is extra large to easily carry your limit of clams.It will not deteriorate under severe salt water conditions.Imported. 16″Lx10″W #F00132

Cleaning and Preparing Razor Clams Razor clams are some of the best eating clams in the Pacific Northwest and perhaps the world. Like other shellfish, razor clams should be cooked and not eaten raw. In addition, razor clams must be cleaned before cooking. Cleaning is a fairly simple process and you end up with using almost the entire clam ready to cook.

The first step in cleaning is removing the shell.The easiest way to accomplish this is to first rinse all sand from your clams.After placing your clams in a colander or in the sink, pour boiling water over them long enough to cause shells to “pop” open (5-10 seconds) Do not soak in boiling water as meat will become tough.

IMMEDIATELY place clams in cold tap water and remove meat from shell.

Watch this video for expert tips on digging and cleaning Razor clams