Washington state clam digging opens Dec.2 and runs through Dec.5,with a 15 clam limit in certain areas of the coast.

Check with the fish and game..

If you like Clam digging Washington State is another hot spot for Razor Clams.

Here you will find some valuable information I have found.

After a successful dig over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, state Fish and Wildlife announced that enough clams remain in the recreational quota to tentatively reopen a few beaches this month.

"We've got enough clams left to harvest, provided that marine-toxin levels remain below the cutoff threshold," said the head state Fish and Wildlife shellfish biologist.

Beaches opening Feb. 19-21 on evening tides only (noon to 11:59 p.m.) are Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch.

Copalis and Mocrocks will be closed because the quota was achieved this season.

More than 38,000 diggers turned out during the three-day holiday weekend, and for some diggers it was pretty easy to limit.

"The overall catch for the period was in the neighborhood of 12 clams per person (15 clams is a daily limit),

A decision on opening the beaches will be made Feb. 18.

If you get tired of clamming,Washington State is a good place to try your luck at trout fishing also. 

New England Clams For An Appetizer

Ingredients

18 - 24 small clams from your local store.

Refrigerate, covered.

1/3 cup olive oil.

1 Jalapeno pepper

3 cloves fresh garlic finely chopped

2 to 3 teaspoons Italian flavored bread crumbs.

1/3 to 1/2 cup fresh water.

1/3 cup dry white wine

2 teaspoons chopped, Italian parsley

Serves 4

Last razor-clam dig of the season
starts Saturday at four ocean beaches

OLYMPIA — Clam diggers have received the go-ahead to proceed with the last razor-clam dig of the season, starting Saturday, May 9 at four ocean beaches.

Beaches open for razor-clam digging Saturday morning include Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks. Two beaches – Long Beach and Twin Harbors – will also be open for digging Sunday, May 10. Digging on all beaches must be completed by noon both days.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) authorized the digs after a series of marine toxin tests conducted by the Washington Department of Health confirmed the clams are safe to eat.

The department is able to offer one more dig this season, because there are sufficient clams remaining in the total allowable harvest for the four ocean beaches, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. Low tides this weekend are as follows:

• Saturday, May 9 (7:23 a.m. -1.2 ft.) – Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks
• Sunday, May 10 (8:02 a.m. -1.2 ft.) – Long Beach, Twin Harbors

DFW reminds diggers they will need an applicable 2009-10 fishing license to join in this weekend’s dig, noting that April 1 marked the beginning of a new license year. A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Descriptions of the various licensing options are available on the WDFW website at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. A list of state license vendors is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/lic/vendors/vendors.htm.

“We strongly advise diggers to make their purchases before heading to the beach,” “Morning digs are very popular, and no one wants to be standing in line to buy a license at low tide.”

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

Ayres noted that clam diggers are allowed to drive on beaches open to razor-clam digging – even those marked “closed to vehicles” – provided they remove their vehicles from those areas by noon each day.

However, portions of the beaches at Long Beach and Twin Harbors are closed to all public access to protect nesting western snowy plovers, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

At Long Beach, the closed area is located north of the Oysterville Road from the state park boundary north to Leadbetter Point. At Twin Harbors, the closed area is located from just south of Midway Beach Road to the first beach-access trail at Grayland Beach State Park. The closed portion at each beach includes the area beyond the mean high tide line.

“Signs clearly mark the area and instruct people to stay on the hard-packed sand,”

Deep Fried Clams(your choice)

40 or so medium-sized hard shell clams
1 egg
1 c evaporated milk
2 c. cracker crumbs
1/2 c. flour
Salt and pepper

Steam open the clams, wipe them thoroughly.

Beat together the egg and cream.

Mix together the cracker crumbs, flour, salt and pepper.

Dip the clams in the egg mixture, then in the crumbs and place in the wire basket of a deep fryer and fry at 375 degrees until brown.

Serve with your favorite clam sauce

Clam Dip

8 oz.soft cream cheese

1 can drained minced clams

3 teaspoon mayonnaise

pepper and garlic salt to taste

dried chives

parsley flakes

mix ingredients and serve with crackers