Razor clams

"Not too crabby!" Dungeness crab, Siletz Bay -Photo by Ben Watts- Crabbing and Clamming September 3, 2026 Announcements Always check for closures at the ODA Shellfish Safety page before harvesting shellfish, which includes clams, crabs and mussels. Reminder: Annual conservation closure for razor clams north of Tillamook Head (Clatsop Beaches) began July 15 and runs through September 30. The season will reopen October 1 unless there is a closure for toxin levels. Report commercial derelict crab pots If you are out on the ocean or in the Columbia River from now through the beginning of October, please report coordinates of any commercial derelict crab pots you see by emailing Jill.M.Smith@odfw.oregon.gov . These reports are distributed to derelict gear recovery permitted participants, enabling them to target gear recovery efforts now that the commercial crab season is closed in the ocean. Prohibited line markings in effect Recreational crabbers are not required to mark their line but are prohibited from using certain line markings that are required in other fisheries. To read more about why and what is prohibited, visit our Marine Life Entanglement page . Bay clams Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. Grab a shovel or rake and your shellfish license. Butter, cockle and gaper clams are waiting to be dug. With the arrival of spring, bay clamming opportunities increase with early morning low tides. As negative tides switch from night to daytime, clammers should use caution when visibility is low. Monitor the weather forecast and the swell and surf advisories before going out to make sure you can safely clam. Check out the Where to Clam articles for places to find bay clams. You can also find more clamming maps here . Beaver State Podcast: Bay clamming with Mitch Vance Learn about different clams and some of the challenges to be ready for when you clam. Mussels Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. Mussels, like clams, are filter feeders and those who like eating clams are likely to find mussels just as delicious. Mussels attach to rocks and other permanent habitats in the intertidal zone, so it is best to go looking for them during a low tide. When harvesting, wear gloves and use a twisting motion to pull mussels off rocks. Be careful when harvesting by the ocean and watch for sneaker waves. Each harvester will need a shellfish license and their own bucket. Learn more here . Razor clams Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. Spring and summer harvesting of razor clams can be a rewarding endeavor. Unlike fall and winter, low tides are in the mornings and visibility is much better. Typical to the Oregon coast, the spring and summer brings better weather, which allows harvesters to see razor clams "showing" more readily. Harvesters will still need to make sure to monitor swell and surf advisories as well as predicted wind prior to harvesting. Combined seas greater than 10 feet and winds greater than 20 mph will make harvesting difficult for all, including the most experienced harvester. Spring and summer harvesting can be greatly improved if harvesters actively "pound" to make clams show. Clammers should plan to be on the beach at least two hours before low tide to ensure plenty of time for a successful harvest. Any low tide that is negative (the bigger the better) is sufficient to harvest clams if the seas are less than 10 feet. Clammers need to remember to keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. See this article for more information on razor clams, including how to harvest. Clatsop beach Annual conservation closure for razor clams north of Tillamook Head (Clatsop Beaches) begins July 15 and goes through September 30. The season will reopen October 1 unless there is a closure for toxin levels. Other beaches Other areas such as Indian Beach (Cannon Beach); Cannon Beach; Cape Meares Beach (Tillamook); Agate Beach (North of Newport); North Beach and South Beach (Newport); Waldport Beach; North Umpqua Spit (Winchester Bay); Bastendorff Beach and North Spit (Coos Bay); Whiskey Run (Bandon); and Meyers Creek Beach (Gold Beach) will also have razor clams. Oregon State Parks have tide tables posted on their website . Crabs Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. Port by port reports: All ports are seeing soft, recently molted, male crab. While these are legal to keep, it is worth noting that they will not be as full of meat or the meat may not be as high quality. Tillamook: Crabbing has been fair from a boat and slow from the dock. Netarts: Crabbing has been fair from a boat and slow from the dock. Newport: Crabbing has been fair from a boat and slow from the dock. Waldport: Crabbing has been fair from a boat and slow from the dock. Charleston : Crabbing has been fair from a boat and slow from the dock. Shore and dock crabbing can be a great year-round activity. A good tool to try is the "castable folding crab trap." Usually attached to a fishing pole, these traps are great for kids because they are lightweight and can catch crab within minutes. No heavy pulling or long wait times! They are available for purchase at most local stores. Happy crabbing! Some crabbers in estuaries may also encounter non-native European green crab in their catch. While they look similar to Oregon's native shore crabs, identify them by the three prominent bumps between the eyes and five spines down each side of their body (carapace). Color is not a good identifying feature as they are not always green. The daily catch limit for European green crab is 35 per person per day. European green crab can be any size or sex. Learn more about this species . Want to know more about the invasive green crab and how you can help? Check out Invasive European green crabs threaten Northwest shellfish industries produced by the Oregon Field Guide on PBS. <div class="field

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Meghan Hertel has opened the recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County following a recommendation from state health agencies that domoic acid no longer poses a significant threat to human health if consumed.

The recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County has been reopened. Recent testing conducted by state health agencies shows domoic acid has decreased to safe levels in razor clams in this area.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has lifted the shellfish safety notification today related to sport-harvested razor clams from Del Norte County.

The sport harvest of razor clams is CLOSED from Cape Blanco to the California border for high levels of the marine biotoxin domoic acid. The sport harvest of razor clams is OPEN from the Washington border to Cape Blanco. See the link below for biotoxin results data for mussels and clams. Re-opening beaches for sport harvest after a biotoxin closure requires two samples in a row with toxin results below the closure limit. These samples must be at least one week apart.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising consumers not to eat sport-harvested razor clams from Del Norte County.

The June 26, 2026 Monterey Bay commercial fishing restrictions for northern anchovy and Pacific sardine taken for human consumption have been lifted. This action comes after state health agencies determined that northern anchovy and Pacific sardine no longer pose a human health risk if consumed. The recreational razor clam fishery in Del Norte County has been closed due to a human health risk. High levels of domoic acid have been found in razor clams.