Finding Clam and Oyster Beaches in Washington State

#pugetsound #hoodcanal
I share online resources to help you find good clam and oyster beaches and the best tides. I sprinkle in a few pro tips along the way. Also, oysters!
Always know before you go! Be sure to check to the shellfish safety map at the bottom of the description for any last minute marine biotoxin closures. Resources from the video:
2023 Lowtides (WDFW):
wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/fil...
WA Tide Now App:
play.google.com/store/apps/de...
2023 Public Beach List - Special Rules (WDFW):
wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/fil...
Public Clam, Oyster, and Mussel Beaches webpage (WDFW):
wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/shel...
WA Shellfish Safety Map (DOH):
fortress.wa.gov/doh/biotoxin/...

[@SoundFishing2020]

This is a historically well put together video😉. As always excellent content. WDFW does a great job putting out information on areas to fish, squid, crab, and clam. Unfortunately, it is often disjointed and not in one singular place. It is appreciated how you show everyone how each of the separate resources work together. Thanks for another awesome video brother!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks a ton Tom! I super appreciate it. 🙏

[@dannyelvisvernon]

No kidding....I always feel like I'm missing some knowledge.....either get ticketed, die, or even worse....ruin a perfectly good weekend not knowing the appropriate rules and/or laws.

[@cpcorbiere]

Today I learned I live right in the middle of "closed to shell fishing"

[@WAFishQuest]

Like I said, this map is your magical ticket to paradi... I mean, oh no!

[@benwebb1]

Lots of value in this particular video

[@WAFishQuest]

I super appreciate the kind words, Benjamin!

[@pnwvintageoutdoors]

I should have waited to watch this video before I sent you a message, this is great information!

[@WAFishQuest]

I do it all for you, Brian!

[@garroncrashhaun5533]

Open seasons chart was new information to me! I've always just checked the shellfish safety map.... But that's good to know it exists

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Garron! Yeah, that's a nice document WDFW made. They had it last year, but not sure about previous years. It's great to look at so many beaches at a glance like that.

[@jessetharp6319]

Dude. I’ve been looking for this video for at least a couple years. Thank you!

[@WAFishQuest]

You're welcome Jesse! Thank you!

[@OftLieN]

Great info.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thank you thank you

[@Kado244]

One of your best videos thanks Blake

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks a ton Kaden!

[@grantnoble9978]

Very nice Blake. You really would have an excellent tv show.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thank you Grant! I really appreciate that. And, in a way, I do! It's called "Timmy and the Resurrection Machine." You see, it's a take on "Lassie," where instead of Lassie rescuing Timmy, Lassie fails and Timmy perishes every episode. Instead if telling the family Timmy fell down a well, Lassie ends up chasing a cat or something. The distractions get more elaborate as the show goes on. This may sound dark, but the resurrection machine always brings Timmy back! All's well that ends swell. Of course this show only exists in my imagination, so the ratings are terrible.

[@cindynelson5140]

@@WAFishQuest youre Hilarious!! :) oh I dont know if anyone can appreciate your humor as much as I do,.,but? I hope so!!

[@NorthwestAdventurerNWA]

As usual you’re sharing a wealth of knowledge on some PNW delicacies and I appreciate it very much. I’m listening, learning and getting motivated to get out there to find some yummy Oysters myself! 🦪

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks a ton David! I'm sure there is somewhere that wouldn't be too bad of a detour between your place and the coast.

[@TheReefRobber]

Nicely done!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thank you Earl!

[@BashiWAFishing]

Great information, master!

[@WAFishQuest]

Glad it was helpful Bashi!

[@djttv]

I love your videos!

[@WAFishQuest]

I love this comment... So I guess we're even! 🙏

[@ThePiscatorian360]

Great video, my friend! Thanks for sharing these helpful resources.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Jerry!!

[@HikeHookandHearth]

Great stuff - Super helpful resources

[@RV_Chef_Life]

Originally grew up in Louisiana and I could live off oysters. We make a mean Fried Oyster PoBoy

[@WAFishQuest]

Heck yeah! Thanks GnG!

[@_Brooke]

Nice video Blake! I like how you explained where to find the clams and oysters and talked about the tide guide. I just filmed a bit about the razor clams out on the coast and after seeing this I need to edit and get it up! Keep up the good work friend! 👌😁

[@ilonakiforishin1273]

I enjoy your video every time my great friend Blake.😃

[@knowfishingnw1878]

Another awesome informational to resources and educational video Blake!!!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks a ton Know Fishing NW! I really appreciate it!

[@kpnitrl38]

Extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@WAFishQuest]

You're welcome! Thank you for the kind words.

[@HobbiesHobo]

We have similar resources here in BC. I make a point of checking them all. I have gone out harvesting at night in the dark with a headlamp and also had great success however it was much less interesting than it is during the daylight hours when you can see more.

[@WAFishQuest]

Great point Mike! I think WA areas very by local if they're technically closed or not (just because a lot are "parks"). Sounds fun tho. Digging in the dark!

[@vilhelm47]

Great info! I just took a group of friend out to slurp beach fresh oysters for the first time last weekend at duckabush. They had such a great time and they were stunned by the millions of oysters in that river Delta also a fair amount of manillas as well!

[@davehconner]

Thanks for the video

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks for the thanks David!

[@j-swizzyswoll8000]

@WAFishQuest Is everything ok?! Its been two months since a new WafQue episode….Just making sure our star is alive and well. Have a great day!

[@PeelingLine]

Very informative video. A lot of red and brown around my area. 😔. Brown is very fitting because of all the sewage spills. Dyes inlet had a no contact last year.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Brett! That is rough about Dyes. Great when open.

[@michaelhood2856]

Wafishquest, we miss your videos!

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Michael! I'll put one out this coming week-- just for you! (Ok, others can watch it too)....

[@SteveFromWyoming]

I wish Oregon had the abundance of clams and oysters as WA. There looked to be a lot of Oysters on that beach you were sitting.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Steve! Most of Hood Canal is lousy with em. Like acres of them on a negative tide. If you're ever 'round these parts, worth keeping a shucker in the truck. Limit is 18 day!

[@SteveFromWyoming]

@@WAFishQuest I just may take a trip up that way this summer.

[@62schmidt]

oregon does have a ton of clams, sadly all the oysters are considered private

[@SteveFromWyoming]

@@62schmidt I guess seem to have trouble finding them

[@RN67POST]

In Oregon you can buy in the shell Oysters 12 bucks a Dozen there good!

[@johnnyabalone]

Great Vid Blake! Can a non-WA resident participate harvesting shellfish?

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Johnny! Sure can! You'd need to purchase a non-resident shellfish license tho. Or a temporary non-resident combo license. Here is the WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife license page: wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/fishing/types-fees Any questions please let me know, and I'll try to help!

[@patriciaward3207]

Thanks Blake, great info once again.. What species of oysters are you harvesting? Up in the San Juan’s we have those really large ones, I leave those for the otters

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks Patricia! They are Pacific oysters. Same as the big ones in your neck of the woods. They are smaller in Hood Canal, though. They are so plenty that they stunt each other's growth! : ) (If given more space they'll grow huge too).

[@BelcherRS]

Great video, but as I was sharing some of the things I learned with some friends, they dropped the biggest reveal on me that I was surprised was missing from the video - in WA state you have to leave the shells behind for oysters! I had no idea... that's a big deal (and I would have learned quickly upon researching, I know, just surprised you didn't make it more clear)... kind of a bummer, since harvesting a bag of snot is way less appealing than harvesting shelled oysters to serve later (I promise WDFW I'll bring the shells back!). Anyway - that's a critical rule to know about.

[@WAFishQuest]

Thanks BelcherRS! I have mentioned that in multiple previous oyster-shucking videos. I didn't in this one because oysters themselves were not the focus. It did cross my mind though. So good reminder to me, better to put in more info than less. To me, it's like telling someone the same thing four times. But if you didn't see the other videos (and why wouldya) it's new info. The reason I'll occasionally buy oysters is just to get the shells. Thanks for watching and the constructive feedback!

[@Kado244]

Have you ever thought about making a spiny dogfish, soup shark, or a ratfish video?

[@rustyirongarage4465]

I am coming to visit Washington end of the month first week of June. I want to forage muscles and possibly oysters. I have always heard don’t eat shellfish in the summer months is this true for Washington state? I am from Utah so not much experience

[@mountainmelts5221]

what do you do with the oysters that are covered in barnacles? shuck away? can you scrap them off? avoid altogether? thanks for the video! and hello from the gulf islands of BC

[@WAFishQuest]

Hello Mountain Melts! The Gulf Islands, wow, what am amazing place to live! The barnacles are all good. I just leave them as is and shuck away. If I wasn't wearing gloves perhaps they'd be a bit abrasive.