Hard clams can be found from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Florida, Texas, Cuba and Mexico. They are farm raised in five Florida counties. Commercial clamming for quahog clams, and the larger surf clams (soup clams) is primarily done offshore, via mechanical dredging. Specially designed clam shovels are ideal to get the most out of your beach clamming experience, especially for razor clams. Narrow-bladed clam shovels also work well for digging some bay clams. Most locations do not have limits on the number or size of clams a person can harvest. However, species-specific restrictions exist and vary from one location to another. For instance, the state imposes a bag limit of 10 gaper clams, except when harvesting from Humboldt Bay, where the limit is 50 gaper clams.
A clam reaches sexual maturity at about a year old and is classified as male. As the clam ages, it will then change over to female sex characteristics. Spawn occurs when waters reach about 65°F. The clams will burrow in shallower bunkers and their siphons will feed, which is optimal for safe harvest. There will be clams this winter, but limited amounts when the weather is at extremes.
Start by looking in bays and estuaries that get plenty of tidal flow. Clams live in sand, mud, and even rocky areas with muddy/sandy bottom. Drive around to likely areas at low tide. Rain is OK with no pounding surf. Go out no more than an hour before low tide. Store clams covered in the fridge (40°F) in a single layer with a damp cloth, using them within two days.
Virginia ranks first for hard shell clam production. Raking is used for clam harvesting in deeper waters with soft substrates. Follow regulations and guidelines from the Department of Environmental Management.
Razor clams have a restricted range with 90 percent harvested from 18 miles of Clatsop County beaches. "Bay clams” include gaper, butter, littleneck clams, cockles. Softshell and purple varnish clams have their own bag limits. Adults burrow below surface to 15 cm deep leaving only siphons exposed to feed.
Clams can be found along coastal regions and estuaries of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts of the United States. Specific regulations on harvest locations, methods, seasonal and daily limits vary by state and species.
Their sensitivity to disturbance leads to fishery closures from July to September. The peak season for clamming in Oregon is May and June.
Manila and native littleneck clams live along Washington’s coastline. The daily limit in Washington is 40 total clams, not exceeding 10 pounds.
In California, recreational clamming for gaper and Washington clams occurs on mudflats, especially in Tomales Bay. Commercial harvest requires a permit when exceeding 100 pounds. Prices for clams have risen recently due to COVID-related labor shortages and algal blooms.
Clam farming and harvesting provide varying profit levels for workers. Predicting yields relies on tidal flow, substrate and identifying other clammers. Prime razor clam habitat remains hidden till ideal low tides expose the quarry.
Clams live in oceans, rivers, and lakes worldwide. Soft shell clams reside along North America’s East Coast. They range from Canada to North Carolina and along the West Coast too. Cherrystone clams populate muddy flats from Canada to Florida.
Razor clams swim off North America’s Pacific shoreline. Their shape resembles a razor. Northern quahogs, also called hard shells, thrive in eastern Canada and Florida.
Clams favor intertidal zones with muddy and sandy bottoms. Estuaries draw them too. Ideal spots feature water流in and out. Low tide uncovers the bounty. Daily limits protect stocks, so check regulations. Store clams chilled and damp then eat within two days.