From the AK State Parks website: Razor Clams
The beaches from Clam Gulch to Ninilchik are the most popular areas for digging razor clams in Alaska. The razor clam, a filter feeder, relies on plankton for food. The life cycle of the razor clams is simple and unique. Razor clams usually reproduce first at age four to five, and live about 14 to 18 years. Reproduction is triggered when Cook Inlet waters reach a temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, usually between late July and early August.
Eggs and sperm are released simultaneously into the surf, where fertilization occurs by chance. Although this method of reproduction is not very efficient, the female clam compensates by releasing an estimated 5 to 15 million eggs. After floating in the larval stage for 4 to 6 weeks, the clams form a small shell and settle into the sandy tidal beach. The clams are ready to harvest in about four years.
Clams may be dug during any minus tide, but a tide of minus two feet or lower is recommended for best results. State law requires that all clams dug be kept regardless of size or condition. Anyone 16 years or older must have a valid Alaska sport fishing license to dig clams.
Eggs and sperm are released simultaneously into the surf, where fertilization occurs by chance. Although this method of reproduction is not very efficient, the female clam compensates by releasing an estimated 5 to 15 million eggs. After floating in the larval stage for 4 to 6 weeks, the clams form a small shell and settle into the sandy tidal beach. The clams are ready to harvest in about four years.
Clams may be dug during any minus tide, but a tide of minus two feet or lower is recommended for best results. State law requires that all clams dug be kept regardless of size or condition. Anyone 16 years or older must have a valid Alaska sport fishing license to dig clams.
WARNING: Each clam tide, clam diggers may be stranded. The incoming tides flood the area between the beach and the sandbar before the sandbar itself is flooded, stranding unwary diggers. Watch the tide levels carefully and return before the rapidly rising tide returns. Rescue assistance is not always available or possible. Stranded diggers risk hypothermia or drowning in the cold waters of Cook Inlet. Stay alert to tide levels, come in early, and be safe!
This weekend we traveled down to Ninilchick and met some friends for camping and clamming. On our rainy drive down we got to see an almost complete rainbow. I will have to try to stitch the photos together to give you the full effect. We arrived early Saturday morning and pitched our tent. The following day we hung around the campsite waiting for low tide to head out to the beach for our clamming adventure. It was a lot of fun learning how to do the clamming twist and then cleaning the clams. Did I mentioned it drizzled the entire time and that high temps probably weren't above 50? Our friends Autumn and Shafen (sp?) are awesome camp cooks. They brought a large wok and cooked everything from breakfast burritos to skillet fajitas for everyone. The boys did surprisingly well with the whole experience. They had a great time hanging out with the Finley and Cannon boys. Of course no campfire would be complete without Smores. I wasn't able to break out the good photography equipment due to the rain so I didn't get any shots of the numerous eagles that frequent the fishing area. I will have to save that for our next trip to Kenai! Thanks to the Finleys and Collins for an awesome weekend!
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