Shellfish gatherers should make plans to trek to open beaches in Puget Sound and Hood Canal as a good series of minus low tides begin this week.
Clam and oyster populations in recent years have been holding up, according to state Fish and Wildlife.
All eastern mainland beaches from Everett south into most of southern Puget Sound are closed for shellfish due to unsafe pollution levels.
Before going check the regulation pamphlet for what is open and closed. A great resource is the state Fish and Wildlife interactive map at http:wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shellfish/beachreg. Also be sure to call the Department of Health shellfish hotline at 800-562-5632.
Low tides: Thursday, minus-1.0 feet at 10:17 a.m.; Friday, -1.3 at 10:49 a.m.; Saturday, -1.5 at 11:21 a.m.; Sunday, -1.5 at 11:55 a.m.; Monday, -1.4 at 12:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, -1.2 at 1:06 p.m.
