Penn cove clam digging...?

[jeepster]

I haven't been clam digging in ages, we used to go to penn cove on Whidbey....

I've heard it was closed, I've heard it was open
I heard there was an oil spill in the bay or something?

I've checked the website, it says it's open, but there is an advisory, but doesn't say what it exactly is, or when it's in effect, kinda confusing. The state website hasn't been updated in years, department of health was updated this month

http://ww4.doh.wa.gov/scripts/esrimap.dll?Name=bioview&Bidn=240150

What have you guys heard? Where would you recommend digging? I have family coming up for the holidays and they want seafood, so I thought we would do a dig, and I wanna do a batch of smoked clams and mussels to can for when they get here

[Becky]

ADVISORY:
This beach is in an area that is approved for shellfish harvesting as long as the nearby municipal sewage treatment plant is functioning properly.

I wouldn't honestly.. shellfish is something I really don't mess with. I guess if you can prove/find out/ask if the municipal sewage plant is functioning properly (??) then you would know... but how would you be able to find that out? 

[jeepster]

Well that's what gets me, I was unaware of any waste treatment facility within miles of where the dig spot is, can't even find one on a satellite view.... We used to go a couple times a month back in the days before the Internet ( being able to check beach status)...... Starting to make me wonder ya know...?

[Becky]

Well that's what gets me, I was unaware of any waste treatment facility within miles of where the dig spot is, can't even find one on a satellite view.... We used to go a couple times a month back in the days before the Internet ( being able to check beach status)...... Starting to make me wonder ya know...?

Yeah that's true.. but a lot of the "back in the day" areas also had "back in the day"-traffic. Boats, plants, cars, everything is in abundance now and that all gets absorbed into the shellfish  so I personally don't risk it. Just my opinion though, it's your tummy lol.

I believe you could always call the hotline #s that are listed on the websites. Probably find out more info that way

[losdaddy7]

Penn Cove is definitely open.  We have been there a dozen or so times this year.  In addition to clams, the oysters are pretty easy to find if you park off Madrona.  Grassers Lagoon is the hot spot...