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Shellfish harvest not advised on the southern portion of the spit, known as Rat Island, due to known pollution from toxic substances.
HARVEST PROFILE:
Most of the clam resource at Fort Flagler State Park is located on the spit
that runs west from the park (Map).
This is an excellent beach for butter clams.
The best areas are on the Port Townsend Bay (north) side of the spit, in and around the tidal channel that separates the spit from Rat Island.
These are also good places for large native littleneck clams and horse clams.
There are pockets of Manila clams in the mid-high tidal zone near the boat ramp in Kilisut Harbor.
Varnish clams and eastern softshell clams are
found at Fort Flagler State Park near the boat ramp, along the south side of the spit.
Geoducks are also found on this beach below the -2.0 foot tide level.
There are some oysters at
Fort Flagler State Park, but they are not abundant.
Please Note: Harvesters are advised to use extreme caution when crossing the
tidal channel to Rat Island. The channel can be dry at low tide, but during
tidal exchanges the current through the channel can be very strong.
The channel can also be deep in places. It's a good idea to keep an eye on
the water level in the channel and to allow yourself plenty of time to return
to the mainland before the tide gets too high. Please avoid the uplands of
Rat Island. This is an important nesting and rearing area for gulls and other
birds. If you are walking with dogs, please do not allow them to disturb the
birds.
DIRECTIONS TO SITE:
To reach the site from the west on Highway 104 take the Chimacum/Port Townsend/Quilcene exit
and turn left onto Center Road. Travel north for about 10 miles to Chimacum.
Go straight through the four-way stop and continue about two miles to Port Hadlock.
Turn right onto Oak Bay Road and proceed for one mile to Flagler Road. There is a sign at this
intersection for Fort Flagler State Park. Take a left onto Flagler Road and continue across the Indian Island
bridge. Proceed about seven miles to Fort Flagler. After you enter the park, take the first left
that leads through the park's check-in station to the lower campground, boat ramp and parking area for the beach.
To reach the site from the east on Highway 104 from the Hood
Canal Bridge take the Port Townsend/Port Ludlow exit (a right turn) and travel north on
Beaver Valley Road (Highway 19) for about seven miles to Chimacum. Take a right at the four-way stop and
continue about two miles to Port Hadlock. Turn right at the four-way stop onto Oak Bay Road and proceed for one mile to Flagler Road. There is a sign at this
intersection for Fort Flagler State Park. Take a left onto Flagler Road and continue across the Indian Island
bridge for about seven miles to Fort Flagler. After you enter the park, take the first left
that leads through the park's check-in station to the lower campground, boat ramp and parking area for the beach.
FACILITIES:
Fort Flagler offers camping, a military museum, two boat ramps, a concession stand (summer only), restrooms/showers, hiking trails, water and a dock.
Popular activities include kite flying and biking.
FUN FACTS:
Historically Rat Island was a spit attached to the point on Marrowstone Island,
near the lower campground. The spit was breached in the 1940s when boats were
dragged across it during military exercises. Since then, a combination of
currents and sediment transport interruption caused by the north shore boat
ramp have kept Rat Island cut off from Marrowstone Island except during very
low tides. At one time this spit enclosed what was historically an
approximately 22-acre salt marsh where the lower campground now sits.
Click here for aerial photos of the beach and surrounding area.
(Note: beach boundaries not shown)
| Click on map to enlarge |
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