Tygart Media

Tag: Shellfish Season

  • Hood Canal South: Hama Hama Oyster Rama Returns April 18–19 After Seven-Year Hiatus — Exploring Olympic Peninsula

    Hood Canal South: Hama Hama Oyster Rama Returns April 18–19 After Seven-Year Hiatus — Exploring Olympic Peninsula

    Two weeks from now, one of Hood Canal’s most beloved celebrations makes its long-awaited return — and it’s worth circling on your calendar right now.

    The Hama Hama Oyster Rama is back on April 18 and 19, noon–6pm both days, at Hama Hama’s legendary beach farm in Lilliwaup, WA — after a seven-year hiatus since 2019. This is a genuine tidal celebration: guided tours with intertidal ecologists and oyster growers, u-pick oysters and clams straight from the Hood Canal flats, a Shuckathalon shucking competition, live music, local beer and wine, kids’ activities, and food vendors showcasing the best of Hood Canal’s incredible seafood culture. Ticket proceeds benefit the Hood Canal Education Foundation and local charities.

    Entrance tickets are $45 for adults (16+), with kids 15 and under free. If you want to harvest your own shellfish to take home, the u-pick pass is $85 and includes 3 dozen oysters plus 3 lbs of clams. These events sell out — if you’re planning to go, get your tickets now.

    Hama Hama Oyster Rama Details

    • Dates: April 18–19, 2026 — noon to 6 PM both days
    • Location: Hama Hama Oyster Farm, 35846 N US Hwy 101, Lilliwaup, WA 98555 (Mason County, Hood Canal)
    • Tickets: $45 adults (16+) | Kids 15 and under free | U-pick pass $85 (3 doz oysters + 3 lbs clams)
    • Activities: Intertidal ecology tours, u-pick shellfish, Shuckathalon competition, live music, beer/wine, kids’ activities, food vendors
    • Charity: Proceeds benefit Hood Canal Education Foundation and local charities
    • Tickets: hamahamaoysters.com | Event listing: explorehoodcanal.com

    Sources: hamahamaoysters.com, explorehoodcanal.com, KING5 Evening coverage

  • South Coast & Grays Harbor: Razor Clamming Open, Gray Whales from Westport & Quinault Rain Forest in Bloom — Exploring Olympic Peninsula

    South Coast & Grays Harbor: Razor Clamming Open, Gray Whales from Westport & Quinault Rain Forest in Bloom — Exploring Olympic Peninsula

    There are three very good reasons to point your car toward Grays Harbor this spring.

    First: razor clams are open at Twin Harbors and Mocrocks beaches. Low tide creates ideal conditions for digging — grab your 2026–27 license (new season started April 1), a clam gun, and a bucket. Twin Harbors is one of the most reliable and accessible clamming spots on the Washington coast, just south of Westport. Always verify current WDFW approvals before heading out, as conditions and biotoxin closures can change.

    Second: April is peak gray whale migration season, and Westport is one of the best places in the state to watch them. Head to Westport Light State Park — the tallest lighthouse in Washington — and scan the horizon for spouts. On a calm spring day, you might spot 10–25 whales passing. Charter boats from the Westport Marina also run whale watching trips if you want to get closer to the action.

    Third: the Quinault Rain Forest is in its most magical spring form right now. The cedar bogs along the Rain Forest Loop Trail are bursting with skunk cabbage in vivid gold and green, snowmelt is feeding the waterfalls, and the mosses are electric after months of winter rain. Lake Quinault Lodge has been welcoming guests since 1926 — it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay for dinner and wake up to mist on the lake.

    South Coast Spring Guide

    • Razor Clamming: Twin Harbors and Mocrocks beaches open for approved digs. 2026–27 license required (April 1 new season start). Check WDFW for current approval status and biotoxin map before going.
    • Gray Whale Watching from Westport: Westport Light State Park is on the official Whale Trail. Peak migration March–early May. 10–25 whales per day on calm days. Charter trips available from Westport Marina.
    • Quinault Rain Forest: Rain Forest Loop Trail open (possible flooding on some sections). Skunk cabbage blooming in cedar bogs. Snowmelt waterfalls at peak. Lake Quinault Lodge open — Roosevelt Restaurant reopening early April.

    Grays Harbor doesn’t always get the spotlight — but right now it’s putting on a show.

    Sources: WDFW Shellfish Regulations, experiencewestport.com, westportwa.com, HikeoftheWeek.com (April 2, 2026 trip report), Lake Quinault Lodge

  • Outdoor Recreation Update: New Shellfish Rules, Potlatch Season & Trail Alerts — Belfair Bugle

    Outdoor Recreation Update: New Shellfish Rules, Potlatch Season & Trail Alerts — Belfair Bugle

    Spring is here and so is shellfish season along Hood Canal. If you’re heading out to dig clams or harvest oysters, take note of the new 2026 rules that kicked in April 1 — the minimum size for cockles is now 2½ inches, and geoduck limits have dropped to one per person per day. Potlatch State Park’s clam, mussel, and oyster season is open through May 31, so grab your shellfish license and your Discover Pass and get out there.

    Meanwhile over at Tahuya State Forest, heads up that portions of the Howell Lake Loop Trail remain temporarily closed due to a washed-out bridge. Plenty of other trails are open for ORV riding, mountain biking, and hiking — just stick to marked routes and remember your Discover Pass.

    Looking ahead, the Theler Wetlands trail system is getting a major upgrade this summer. Construction begins on a new pedestrian boardwalk in the footprint of the removed levees, fully reconnecting the estuary trail loop. And Belfair State Park’s Tree Loop campground opens for reservations May 15 — start planning those summer weekends on the water.

    Key Outdoor Updates This Week

    • Shellfish rules: New 2026 WDFW regulations effective April 1 — cockle minimum 2½ inches, geoduck limit 1 per person/day
    • Potlatch State Park: Shellfish season open April 1–May 31 (clams, mussels, oysters)
    • Tahuya State Forest: Howell Lake Loop Trail partially closed — washed-out bridge. Other trails remain open.
    • Theler Wetlands: New pedestrian boardwalk construction coming summer 2026, reconnecting the full estuary loop
    • Belfair State Park: Tree Loop campground reservations open May 15

    Sources: WDFW Shellfish Regulations, WDFW Potlatch Beach Page, Trailforks Tahuya, AllTrails, WA State Parks, HCSEG Theler Restoration Project

  • Outdoors & Environment: New WDFW Shellfish Rules, Twanoh Season & Lake Cushman Update — Mason County Minute

    Outdoors & Environment: New WDFW Shellfish Rules, Twanoh Season & Lake Cushman Update — Mason County Minute

    Heads up, shellfish fans — if you’re heading to the beach this spring, there are some important new rules to know about.

    As of April 1, WDFW rolled out two significant changes for recreational shellfish harvesting statewide. The minimum size for cockles jumped from 1½ inches to 2½ inches, giving more cockles a chance to reach reproductive age. And the geoduck daily limit dropped from 3 per person to just 1 per person per day — a move to protect those slow-recovering intertidal populations. If you haven’t updated your knowledge of the regs this season, now is the time.

    For Hood Canal harvesters, mark your calendars: Twanoh State Park near Union opens for clam digging May 15 through June 15, with oyster season running through September 30. But there’s an important heads-up — beach access at Twanoh will close after clam season wraps for a shoreline restoration project, and campsite reservations are shut down from June 1 through spring 2027. Plan your Twanoh trips accordingly.

    Meanwhile, Lake Cushman is still in its spring drawdown phase. Boat launches won’t be usable until closer to Memorial Day when the water comes back up — so hold off on trailering the boat out there for another few weeks.

    Key Outdoors Updates — Mason County

    • WDFW Shellfish Rule Changes (effective April 1, 2026): Cockle minimum size raised to 2½ inches. Geoduck daily limit reduced to 1 per person. Applies statewide including all Hood Canal beaches.
    • Twanoh State Park (Union): Clam season open May 15–June 15. Oyster season through September 30. Beach access closes after clam season for shoreline restoration. Campsite reservations closed June 1–spring 2027.
    • Lake Cushman: Spring drawdown ongoing. Boat launches unavailable until Memorial Day weekend.

    Always check both the WDFW season status AND the Department of Health biotoxin map before harvesting. Stay safe out there and enjoy the spring weather.

    Sources: WDFW Shellfish Regulations News Release, NW Sportsman Magazine, WDFW Twanoh Beach Page, WA State Parks

  • Mason County Outdoors: New Shellfish Rules, Twanoh State Park Season & Lake Cushman Update — April 4, 2026

    Mason County Outdoors: New Shellfish Rules, Twanoh State Park Season & Lake Cushman Update — April 4, 2026

    Heads up, shellfish fans — if you’re heading to the beach this spring, there are some important new rules to know about. 🐚

    As of April 1, WDFW rolled out two big changes for recreational shellfish harvesting statewide. The minimum size for cockles jumped from 1½ inches to 2½ inches, giving more cockles a chance to reach reproductive age. And the geoduck daily limit dropped from 3 per person to just 1 per person per day — a move to protect those slow-recovering intertidal populations.

    For Hood Canal harvesters, mark your calendars: Twanoh State Park near Union opens for clam digging May 15 through June 15, with oyster season running through September 30. But heads up — beach access at Twanoh will close after clam season for a shoreline restoration project, and campsite reservations are shut down from June 1 through spring 2027. Meanwhile, Lake Cushman is still in its spring drawdown, so boat launches won’t be usable until closer to Memorial Day when the water comes back up.

    Know before you go — always check both the WDFW season status AND the Department of Health biotoxin map before harvesting. Stay safe out there and enjoy the spring weather. 🌊

    Sources: WDFW Shellfish News Release | WDFW Twanoh Beach Page | WA State Parks: Twanoh | WDFW: Lake Cushman